"By All Means I Shall Have Pity Upon Him

Jehovah had a special attachment to the Israelites. He said:  "I have become to Israel a father; and as for Ephraim, he is my firstborn."  (Jeremiah 31:9)  How could a loving father refuse to welcome back a son whose heart is filled with genuine remorse? Notice how Jehovah expresses his Fatherly feelings for his people. 

"Is Ephraim a precious son to me, or a fondly treated child? For to the extent of my speaking against him  I shall without fail remember him further." (Verse 20) How tender those words are!  Like a firm but loving parent, God had been obliged to speak "against" his children, repeatedly warming them about their sinful ways.  When they stubbornly refused to listen, he let them go into exile-in effect, making them leave home. But even though he had to punish them, he did not forget them. He could never do that. A loving father does not forget  his children.  How though, did Jehovah feel when he saw true repentance in his children? 

"My intestines have become boisterous for him. By all means I shall have pity upon him." (Verse 20) Jehovah felt  a strong yearning for his children.  Their sincere repentance touched his heart, and he had a deep longing for them to return to him. Like the father in Jesus'  parable of the prodigal son, Jehovah was moved with pity" and eager to welcome his children back home. -Luke 15:20.

Next time: "Jehovah Let Me Come Home"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2012