12:8
However, there is a serious breakdown in the relationship. Israel is now an enemy of God, going against His ways. “Therefore I hate her”. We talk about God hating the sin not the sinner. In all honesty that is not a very Biblical idea, certainly not one that is evident here. Just because we cannot comprehend does not mean we should reject it. God’s love is deeper than we can ever imagine (Eph 3:18,19). If we are to ever comprehend it we need to take all of God’s word seriously. Otherwise we reduce God’s love to the level of our imperfect and puny selves. Far better to raise it the level of the one true God.
12:9,10
These two verses speak of the devastation that will come upon the land. It is a target for attack, with many nations encircling it waiting to devour the land. And more nations are called to join them. In Revelation there is a time when all the nations march against Jerusalem, but they are defeated (Rev 20:7-10), but it isn’t much of a battle for they are defeated by fire from God. Here it would be different, Jerusalem would be defeated. The land would be turned into a wasteland. Note that it is referred to as “my pleasant land”, it is still God’s land.
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