The God Who Feels

July 27, 2026

by Kate Orton

If we were to zoom out for a moment and look at the whole book of Hosea, we would see how it is divided into a few key sections. The first gives us a glimpse into Hosea’s family and marriage to Gomer to help us begin to see God’s relationship with Israel throughout this poem (chapters 1-3). The second section looks at the accusations and warnings for Israel (4-11 and 12-14). Chapters 9-11 are where we see a shift - we get a really intense reminder of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s anger over their waywardness, even a declaration of their future consequences as a result. But experiencing this level of God’s anger is not the only side we see. We also see a clear picture of a Father who is heartbroken and grieving, because he deeply loves his children. 

Throughout the book of Hosea, there are themes that are clearly repeated: Israel is unfaithful. God is displeased. But God will be faithful in the end. There are many, many verses that cover vivid descriptions of the cause and effect of Israel’s unfaithfulness, and chapters 9-10 are no different. Israel is depicted as a grape vine that flourished, but their prosperity caused them to turn away from God: \

“When I found Israel, It was like finding grapes in the desert; 

When i saw your ancestors, 

It was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, 

They consecrated themselves to that shameful idol

And became as vile as the thing they loved” (Hosea 9:10)

There’s a sharpness in God’s voice here, his disappointment and anger is deep:

“‘Because of their wickedness in Gilgal, 

I hated them there. 

Because of their sinful deeds, 

I will drive them out of my house. 

I will no longer love them; 

All their leaders are rebellious. 

Ephraim is blighted, 

Their root is withered, 

They yield no fruit. 

Even if they bear children, 

I will slay their cherished offspring’ [...]

My God will reject them 

Because they have not obeyed him; 

They will be wanderers among the nations” (Hosea 9:15-17)

As a reader, it is difficult to go through Hosea and continually come up against these descriptions of Israel’s wretchedness. It can be hard to see past God’s repeated reminders of coming consequences or to believe his heart is truly one of love when we literally read the word “hate.” These verses are painful, and they should be. God is angry because of Israel’s depravity, their continual waywardness. And when we apply this to ourselves, when we look at our own brokenness, it does look dire. The consequences God is pronouncing for the future of unfaithful Israel are awful, and the language vivid: 

“Because you have depended on your own strength

And on your many warriors; 

The roar of battle will rise against your people, 

So that all your fortresses will be devastated — 

As Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, 

When mothers were dashed to the ground with their children, 

So it will happen to you, Bethel, 

Because your wickedness is great. 

When that day dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed” (Hosea 10:12-14)

The roar of battle. Devastated fortresses. Mothers dashed to the ground. Your wickedness is great. Completely destroyed. But everything in this hard, beautiful poem hinges on verse one in chapter 11. Immediately after the words “completely destroyed,” you almost have to stop and take a breath, because the section that follows shifts so quickly, the imagery shifts dramatically:

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, 

And out of Egypt I called my son.” 

Here we get an image of Israel as a child, Yahweh being the father. Consider the phrase “out of Egypt” and everything packed into those words; the whole story of God’s calling and deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt, is recalled with such tenderness. God remembers when Israel was small and weak – he really is a loving and compassionate father. A few verses down he says, 

“They did not realize

It was I who healed them” (Hosea 11:3)

It’s easy to sense God’s anger in Hosea. But what about his tenderness? And what about his heartbreak? Our God is a God who actually feels deeply sad that his children did not remember how he delivered and healed them. In addition, Israel’s wickedness is dark indeed, it’s why the consequence is as horrible as it needs to be. But here we have to start to realize, God’s heart is deeply passionate for his children whom he loves! He grieves their waywardness because he loves Israel so much.

 For me, it’s not hard to see my mistakes and sin. But what would my relationship with God look like, if whenever I was faced with sin, I could remember that my God is a loving father, a God who feels with and for me. There are consequences for our sin, of course – the consequences coming for Israel are clear. But God never completely crushes us in our sin, no matter how much our sin angers and pains him. If we look farther ahead in the overall story of Scripture, we know the end of the story and the One who was crushed in our place. We have full access to God our Father who feels, deeply – anger, pain, heartbreak, compassion. As we continue our journey through Hosea and consider our own walk with the Lord, this should give us great comfort and draw us towards his heart all the more.