When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt... I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love... How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?... mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger... for I am God, and not man.
This may be the most emotionally raw portrait of God in Scripture. Here is no distant sovereign or cosmic judge—here is a parent whose heart is breaking.
God speaks as a father who taught his toddler to walk, 'taking them by their arms.' He drew them with 'bands of love.' And they turned away. Now judgment looms, but God cannot bear it: 'How shall I give thee up?' His 'heart is turned within me'—literally, his insides churn with conflicted love.
✝
✝