76.
When Israel was a child. From the time of their beginnings, the Lord loved him. A love of great depth, as only the Lord can love. We are about to ob\serve the strong and intense emotions of the Lord. His love is a love which is unique. A love which supersedes human love, far greater that the love of parents for a child. It is impossible for mankind to love as He loves except He imparts that ability to us, whereby we may love with the same passion. We are privileged to know His love which passes knowledge. Comprehending, experiencing a love which may only be known by those who are in Christ Jesus. Eph. 3:19.
One of the wonderful things which is so intriguing about the Bible is the interjection periodically of a Messianic statement. We find one here. I called My Son out of Egypt. Referring to both the children of Israel in Egypt (Ex. 4:22-23) and the Lord Jesus who was taken into Egypt by Joseph and Mary. Mt. 2:15 The Lord Jesus is referred to and called Israel. He was to take the place of Israel as the Son of the Father. Furthermore, He was to take the place of Israel, as well as the whole of mankind, bearing their sins in His own body. He was the servant of the Father, thus becoming the substitute, the saving sacrifice for all. Jesus glorified the Father. Isa. 49:3.
The Lord, through the voice of the prophets, was faithful in calling Israel unto Himself. His warnings of impending punishments were adequate. Had they listened they would have changed their ways and fully followed the Lord. However, as is recorded, the more He called the more they turned from Him. What a stubborn and obstinate people they were. They persisted in their offerings to Baal and the burning of incense to their carved images. Hos. 11:2 The Lord was more than just in scattering them abroad.
The Lord reveals the deep rooted emotions of His heart in His past dealings with Israel. He placed Himself in the role of a Father who, with great enjoyment and pleasure, had taken His Ephraim by His arms and taught him to walk. They were not aware of the healing hand of the Lord upon them, nor were they about ready to acknowledge His virtue revealed in their lives. Hos. 11:3 The close affinity which the Lord felt was not appreciated nor equaled by Israel. Isaiah said; that the Lord. Like a true Father, felt their afflictions as if they were His own. The angel of His presence saved and delivered them. With His great love He saved and redeemed them. He protected them, guided them and cared for them faithfully. Isa. 63:9-10 But they rebelled. What a pity.