How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboyim?
My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.
I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come against their cities.
They will follow the Lord;
he will roar like a lion.
When he roars,
his children will come trembling from the west.
They will come from Egypt,
trembling like sparrows,
from Assyria, fluttering like doves.
I will settle them in their homes,”
declares the LORD. (Hosea 11:8-11)
nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come against their cities.
They will follow the Lord;
he will roar like a lion.
When he roars,
his children will come trembling from the west.
They will come from Egypt,
trembling like sparrows,
from Assyria, fluttering like doves.
I will settle them in their homes,”
declares the LORD. (Hosea 11:8-11)
These verses seem to communicate a mixed message. In other sections of Hosea's prophecy God's people are judged, denounced, and sentenced. Here in these verses God's heart is "changed," and God's compassion aroused. Judgment is suspended. Repatriation and restoration are described as inevitable. I don't know whether to ask, "Which is it?" or "When will it happen?" or another question altogether.
Today, Jewish people from all corners of the earth have emigrated to the land of Israel, but the people are far from settled and at peace.
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