Verse 20

Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children. They are the children I take delight in. For even though I must often rebuke them, I still remember them with fondness. So I am deeply moved with pity for them and will surely have compassion on them. I, the LORD, affirm it!

Referenced Verses

  • Isa 63:15 : 15 Look down from heaven and take notice, from your holy, majestic palace! Where are your zeal and power? Do not hold back your tender compassion!
  • Isa 55:7 : 7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the LORD, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them.
  • Hos 14:4 : 4 Divine Promise to Relent from Judgment and to Restore Blessings“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger will turn away from them.
  • Judg 10:16 : 16 They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the LORD. Finally the LORD grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.
  • Song 5:4 : 4 My lover thrust his hand through the hole, and my feelings were stirred for him.
  • Isa 16:11 : 11 So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp, my inner being sighs for Kir Hareseth.
  • Gen 43:30 : 30 Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother and was at the point of tears. So he went to his room and wept there.
  • Deut 32:36 : 36 The LORD will judge his people, and will change his plans concerning his servants; when he sees that their power has disappeared, and that no one is left, whether confined or set free.
  • 1 Kgs 3:26 : 26 The real mother spoke up to the king, for her motherly instincts were aroused. She said,“My master, give her the living child! Whatever you do, don’t kill him!” But the other woman said,“Neither one of us will have him! Let them cut him in two!”
  • Ps 103:13 : 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on his faithful followers.
  • Prov 3:12 : 12 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
  • Mic 7:18-19 : 18 Who is a God like you? Who forgives sin and pardons the rebellion of those who remain among his people? Who does not stay angry forever, but delights in showing loyal love? 19 Who will once again have mercy on us? Who will conquer our evil deeds? Who will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea?
  • Luke 15:24 : 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again– he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
  • Jer 3:19 : 19 “I thought to myself,‘Oh what a joy it would be for me to treat you like a son! What a joy it would be for me to give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful piece of property there is in all the world!’ I thought you would call me,‘Father’ and would never cease being loyal to me.
  • Jer 31:9 : 9 They will come back shedding tears of contrition. I will bring them back praying prayers of repentance. I will lead them besides streams of water, along smooth paths where they will never stumble. I will do this because I am Israel’s father; Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”
  • Jer 48:36 : 36 So my heart moans for Moab like a flute playing a funeral song. Yes, like a flute playing a funeral song, my heart moans for the people of Kir Heres. For the wealth they have gained will perish.
  • Lam 3:31-32 : 31 כ(Kaf) For the Lord will not reject us forever. 32 Though he causes us grief, he then has compassion on us according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.
  • Hos 11:8-9 : 8 The Divine Dilemma: Judgment or Mercy? How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart! All my tender compassions are aroused! 9 I cannot carry out my fierce anger! I cannot totally destroy Ephraim! Because I am God, and not man– the Holy One among you– I will not come in wrath!
  • Isa 57:16-18 : 16 For I will not be hostile forever or perpetually angry, for then man’s spirit would grow faint before me, the life-giving breath I created. 17 I was angry because of their sinful greed; I attacked them and angrily rejected them, yet they remained disobedient and stubborn. 18 I have seen their behavior, but I will heal them. I will lead them, and I will provide comfort to them and those who mourn with them.
  • Phil 1:8 : 8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
  • Luke 15:32 : 32 It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”