This chapter brings the second section (6:7–11:11) of the covenant lawsuit to an end with a word of hope, just like the end of the first section of the lawsuit (5:15–6:6). The four brief paragraphs in this chapter contrast God’s great love for his people and Israel’s repeated rejection of his love. Israel deserves God’s severe punishment, but God laments over his people and ends up promising salvation.

In the first paragraph, God is pictured as a loving father, and Israel is likened to a stubborn son (11:1–4). At the time of the exodus from Egypt, Israel was a young nation that God loved; in fact, God called Israel his son (Exod. 4:22). Although God expressed his love for the Israelites, they did not respond positively to God’s love but went away after the fertility god Baal and offered …