Nov 14, 2023
SCRIPTURE READING: Hosea 11:1-9
1When Israel
was a child, I loved him, and out of
Egypt I called my son.
2The more I
called them, the more they
went from me; they kept sacrificing to
the
Baals, and
offering incense to
idols. 3Yet it was I
who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my
arms; but they did not know that I
healed them. 4I led them
with cords of human kindness, with bands of
love. I was to them like
those who lift
infants to their cheeks. I bent down to
them and fed them. 5They shall
return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their
king, because they have refused to
return to me. 6The sword
rages in their cities, it
consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their
schemes. 7My people are
bent on turning away from me. To the
Most High they
call, but he does
not raise them up at all. 8How can I give
you up, 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. 9I will not
execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy
Ephraim; for I am God and no
mortal, the Holy One in your
midst, and I will not
come in wrath.