Hosea 11:8-11
Divine compassion restrains deserved judgment and secures restoration.
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One among you; and I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says Yahweh.
Divine compassion restrains deserved judgment and secures restoration.
To reveal Yahweh’s internal resolve of compassion that tempers total destruction, promising future restoration despite deserved judgment.
The LORD's Fatherly Love, Israel's Ingratitude, and Compassionate Restraint
The LORD's holy love exposes Israel's ingratitude, judges their stubborn apostasy, and yet restrains total destruction so that his people may be summoned home by mercy.