When the prophet Hosea saw the faithlessness of the Ephraimites and the other children of Israel, he reminded them of the loving care, protection, and guidance of God which they had experienced in such rich measure. He represented God as saying (Hos. 11:4), "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws." The words "I drew them... with bands of love" point unmistakably to the tenderness displayed by Deity in teaching them the way and keeping them in it.
Today we may marvel that the children of Israel displayed so much blindness and disobedience in view of all the loving-kindness shown them; but must we not be alert not to fall into the same mistake? For on us a Christly yoke is laid; that is, not more is expected of us than we can fulfill. We too are drawn "with bands of love" which would keep us in the straight and narrow way. But the human mind has a tendency to grumble, to be discontented and insubordinate. Changes which demand the redemption of mortals are apt to rouse opposition. They see danger even in a loving reminder born of experience, and regard a needed admonition as a limitation of personal liberty. The human mind is in constant need of instruction and guidance.
The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount have served through the centuries as effective educational means of progress and achievement. Indeed, should they not act for each one of us as "bands of love"?
