THE LESSONS

Hosea 11:1-11
Yahweh so loves his disobedient people that he cannot give them up to destruction. In one of the most moving passages in the Old Testament (Lesson 1), Israel is pictured as Yahweh's prodigal son. Hosea sees God and the nation as a loving father and his rebellious son. As a loving father Yahweh loves Israel when a child, brought him out of slavery in Egypt, and cared for him in the wilderness. He took his child in his arms, taught him to walk, and nurtured him. In spite of this, the son was stubborn and rebellious. In consequence, the grown child is subject to discipline by returning to captivity by Assyria. But the heart of God cries out for his Son and cannot give him up to slavery. Because he is God and not man, Yahweh continues to love him and promises to brin…