The Advent of the Lamb of God (Retelling the Story Series)

by Russ Ramsey

There was a bitter edge to this mercy since Israel’s sin—their returning again and again to idolatry—was a rejection of the Lord himself. They were saying to him as clearly as they could, “You’re not the God we want.” But these were the people he wanted, so he continually rescued them from the trouble they brought upon themselves.

“I have loved you,” said the Lord. But the people didn’t feel loved. How were they supposed to reconcile this statement with their experience? The two were at odds, leaving one of two possibilities—either God was lying, or they were so blind to the purposes of his work in their lives that they couldn’t make sense of his love.