Words from a grieving Parent

 Read Hosea 11.

For every parent who has grieved over the choices and behaviors of their children, God knows all about it.
 
Like a brokenhearted father of a wayward son, the LORD recounted all that He did to raise the nation Israel.  This chapter contains some of the most emotional, loving, and compassionate statements from God.  He was and is personally involved in our lives.  Notice the eight personal statements in verses 1-4.
-I loved him
-I called my son
-I who taught Ephraim to walk
-I took them up by their arms
-I healed them
-I led them
-I became to them as one who eases the yoke
-I bent down to them and fed them

Yet, "the more they were called,  the more they went away."  The prodigal took what the father had provided and chased after the Baals to worship them.  "They refused to return to me" (v.5b).

The LORD asked four rhetorical questions in verse 8.  Every loving father can identify with the parental angst when there is a need to discipline a disobedient child.  As regrettable as it may seem, failing to act in an effective manner demonstrates a lack of love.  The Bible does NOT say, "Spare the rod, spoil the child."  Rather, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." (Proverbs 13:24)

Too often, well-meaning books have been written using Scripture to present ideal parenting.  While those principles are true, they are principles not promises.  If the perfect parent (God) had disappointments with His children, why are we surprised that we may feel the same way?  There comes a time in every life that the individual is responsible for their own behavior and cannot blame the parent.

Many fear what God may do in response to their sin, instead of understanding what sin does to Him.  After all He has done, including Jesus dying on the cross for us, it breaks His heart.  "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)

In verses 10-11, the LORD looks forward to that future day when the damaged relationship will be restored and the children come home.