7.1 From The Beginning God Cares For His Children

(Hosea 11:1-4)

The LORD says,
“When Israel was a child, I loved him
and called him out of Egypt as my son.
But the more I called to him,
The more he turned away from me.
My people sacrificed to Baal;
They burned incense to idols.
Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk.
I took my people up in my arms,
But they did not acknowledge that I took care
of them.
I drew them to me with affection and love.
I picked them up and held them to my cheek;
I bent down to them and fed them.