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Out of Egypt I Called my Son

(Matthew 2:13-15)

¹ When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.² But the more I called them, the farther they departed from Me^(a). They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.³ It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.⁴ I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.⁵ Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?⁶ A sword will whirl through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.⁷ My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

God’s Mercy On Israel

⁸ How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!⁹ I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back 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 the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.¹¹ They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.¹² Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.