The God Who Loves and Disciplines

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels.

7 My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all.

8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.

9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west;

11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.

Hosea 11 

 We often have a picture of a judgemental, angry and just God in the Old Testament, who punishes sin and reward the righteous. While it is true that this is the picture given to us, but it is not always so.

In Hosea 11, I see a picture of a loving Father who cares for His children with a gentle hand and a loving heart. He wants to keep them holy and honourable, but Israel was rebellious and wicked. As a Father who truly loves His children, He had to deal with such rebellion with a rod.

Many would accuse God of being cruel and unethical, to punish someone just because they do not obey Him. But many missed the idea behind such punishment. God wants us to obey Him because by obeying Him and His standards are the best for us and our lives. And because He loves us, He wants to give us the best. Just like our earthly fathers, who would not buy us toys that have always wanted. Would you say he is being cruel? No, that is because he wants the best for us and loves us, and toys, may not be the best for us. Would you say a father who punishes his son who steals and refuse to repent of his mistake, cruel? It is the best for his son to learn the lesson now than to turn into a thief when he's older.

It pains Him to give Israel up to his enemies. It hurts Him more to discipline Israel with force. But it was because He loves His children. Just as any father who cane their son, it hurts them in their loving heart more than it hurts on the flesh of their son. The only reason such punishment and judgement is necessary is to bring Israel back to Him and righteousness. Ultimately, in the context of Hosea, God will bring His people back, He will restore them to their former glory, He will love them like He used to; He will forget all transgression against Him and love them as His children.

But why does Israel matter so much? It's like God focuses only on the Jews and disregarding the rest of the humankind. Well, the Holy Bible, especially Old Testament dwells within the context of the Jewish nation, but the evidence of God's work in other civilization and culture can be found anywhere. As a Chinese, God works wonderfully in the history of my people. But anyway, the focus was given to the Jews because ultimately, God's perfect love will be extended to all mankind through the Chosen People.

While all mankind turned away from God, God has a great plan to bring them back. Through the suffering and unending discipline of the Jews, a Saviour born from it. And ultimately, God will bring all His beloved creature back to Him through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through His death, all mankind can be reconciled to Him and He will give us the right as His son.

This is how great the love of our God is, to give us the best, and care for us without rest. He is our God, who loves and who disciplines.