8 “Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings.
O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 You must never have a foreign god;
you must not bow down before a false god.
10 For it was I, the Lord your God,
who rescued you from the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
11 “But no, my people wouldn’t listen.
Israel did not want me around.
12 So I let them follow their own stubborn desires,
living according to their own ideas.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me!
Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!
14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies!
How soon my hands would be upon their foes!
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him;
they would be doomed forever.
16 But I would feed you with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.” NLT
The “unknown voice” (see the end of v7) continues to speak in verse 8. Which parts of verse 8 sound like a frustrated parent? What sorts of things would have child have been doing to cause a parent to say this?
Look at verses 9-10. What was the understanding that God had with his followers?
Look at verses 11-12. What happened?
Look at verses 13-16. What is God’s desire? What does God truly want to do? Describe what you read in these verses.
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
Which parts of these verses describe your life of faith? What response does God have for you that troubles you and comforts you? Take some time now to pray very personally with God.