How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. (Hosea 11:8-9) *1/ What Israel and we deserve. 2/ How shall God give up his people? 3/ How shall he deliver them?* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon explores the tension between divine justice and mercy through Hosea 11, highlighting God's internal struggle regarding the punishment of Israel. It establishes that all humanity deserves wrath due to total depravity, as detailed in Romans 3, yet God cannot abandon His people because of His eternal covenant and unchanging nature. The preacher argues that this dilemma is resolved solely through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who absorbed the fierceness of God's anger on behalf of sinners. This theological framework assures believers that their salvation rests not on their own merit but on the finished work of Christ and the faithfulness of God to His promises. Consequently, the message encourages trust in God's steadfast love despite human backsliding and unworthiness.