1. Hosea 11:8–9 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What change is taking place in Hosea 11:8-9?

Hosea 11:8–9 (ESV)

8 How can I give you up, O 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.

Remarkably, it is not a change in the situation of God’s people, but a change in God! You would expect the Lord to eventually put an end to it. But what is happening? Something is taking place in God’s heart. God says, My heart recoils within me. Very humanly speaking. But it is as if a landslide is taking place in God’s heart. His anger is defeated. His love wins. Against all odds.