A two‑fold answer: 1. God does not forget his promise to Abram: I will make your descendants like the sand that is on the seashore. God remembers this. 2. God does begin at the point of absolute zero. Indeed, nothing more is expected from his people. This new beginning can only be explained if you realize who God is. It is his passion. He says: and yet you are my dear children. God is incomprehensibly good. Amazing grace.
God’s loving goodness heals the schism in Israel. The ten tribes and the two tribes will be united into one people again, reigned by one Head, in whom we ultimately recognise Jesus Christ. And even Jezreel (which means: he sows) will generate life again. God makes everything new.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”