The Lord's Love for Israel

I was reading the lyrics to a song this morning and the bridge really captured me:

It's true that you could snap my neck
I trust you'll save my life instead
'Cause our love is a loyalty sworn
If we hold to our hope

Then I know we can weather the storm
Whatever they say, come what may

Then I began reading Hosea 11, a chapter with the heading "The Lord's Love for Israel." (Please read the chapter if you have a minute.)

The chapter begins as follows, in verses 1-2:

    When Israel was a child, I loved him,
        and out of Egypt I called my son.
    The more they were called,
        the more they went away;
    they kept sacrificing to the Baals
        and burning offerings to idols.

Then come verses 8-9:

    How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
        How can I hand you over, O Israel?
    How can I make you like Admah?
        How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
    My heart recoils within me;
        my compassion grows warm and tender.
    I will not execute my burning anger;
        I will not again destroy Ephraim;
    for I am God and not a man,
        the Holy One in your midst,
        and I will not come in wrath.

Here's what the study Bible notes say:

"Hos. 11:8 How can I give you up? In highly anthropomorphic terms, the Lord pours out his irrepressible love; Isa. 49:15 and Jer. 31:20 express the same sentiment. The relationship between God and his chosen must not be viewed as a formality. These emotional outpourings demonstrate that the Lord is a person, filled with compassion—unlike the lifeless Baals. His affection weighs heavier than Israel’s ingratitude, and he cannot bring himself to renounce his people, even though they renounce him. How can I make you like Admah … like Zeboiim? These two cities were totally destroyed (see Deut. 29:23; also Gen. 14:2, 8). The love that the Lord has for his children restrains him from obliterating them. He will preserve Israel through a remnant (cf. Rom. 11:5)."

The back of my neck tingled, my throat tightened, my eyeballs got damp and I was once again reminded of how stubborn God is about withholding the wrath I deserve and giving me the love I don't. God's love for us overwhelms all we do to escape it.