We must strive to convey the historical meaning as it is found in the Hebrew text and the allegorical understanding offered by the Septuagint.
Previously, it has been expressed, "The child Israel, and I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Subsequently, it's mentioned that he fell into the sin of offering sacrifices to Baals and calling upon idols. Yet, God now reveals the depth of His love for Israel, as stated in Deuteronomy: "The Lord hath borne you, as a man hath borne his son, all the way in which ye walked, until ye came to this place." Additionally, it is written of Him, "He stretched out His wing and received them, lifting them upon His body." I declare that I was like a father, a provider, carrying my beloved in my arms to ensure he faced no harm in the wilderness; that he would fear neither the heat of day nor the shadows of night. I was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, protecting and illuminating their path.
When they sinned, fashioning a golden calf for themselves, I offered them a chance to repent; yet they remained unaware of the healing I provided. For forty years, I tended to their spiritual wounds of idolatry, restoring them to health for the sake of the bond of love established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead of Adam, the translations by Aquila, Symmachus, the Septuagint, and Theodotion refer to humanity, asserting that by this bond, I will draw them forth through love. The following words, "I will be to them as one who lifts a yoke," can be interpreted in two ways. Either I removed from them the yoke imposed by the surrounding nations, or they perceived My law as a burdensome weight.
I provided them with manna to eat in the wilderness, symbolizing my intention of bending down to feed them. Symmachus translates this as service rendered towards them, indicating that it was not merely about God inclining towards them, but that the manna descended at My command. I loved them deeply, serving as the Good Shepherd, carrying the weary on My shoulders, as depicted in Luke 15. Unbeknownst to them, I healed them through My suffering, drawing all to faith through the binding love described in the Gospel: "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him." They perceived My gentle yoke as burdensome. I descended from the heavenly realms, took on human form, shared in their sustenance, offering My body as their nourishment.
Now, let us explore the spiritual insight according to the Septuagint's translation, refraining from extensive historical and allegorical elaboration to maintain the focus of our discussion. Because they sacrificed to the idols they had created and fled from My presence when I called, I, being the Good Lord, bound Ephraim's feet to prevent his further escape. This act signifies being bound tightly to Me. I bound them through the truths of Scripture and the teachings of the Church, patiently sustaining them in My hands, though they failed to recognize that God’s long-suffering was for their salvation.
Amid the corruption of humanity, particularly those in leadership who deceived them through the chill of disbelief, I extended the warmth of faith, binding them with the ties of My love. Since they did not come willingly but were reluctantly drawn in, I began to strike them gently on their jaws—not to punish but to correct. The judge may inflict pain, employing rods and fire, yet the father merely disciplines his errant son with a gentle hand. Thus, it is significant that He does not state, "I will strike them," but rather "I will be as a man striking the jaws." God strikes wandering children with the threats of punishment, conveyed by Gospel teachings and prophetic testimonies.
These gentle admonitions are meant to expel false doctrines from their mouths. After these corrective actions, He will turn His gaze towards the wayward child, who will plead, "Look upon me and have mercy on me," and again, "Look upon me and hear me, O Lord my God." When He looks upon them, He will overcome their challenges, aiding them, conquering their adversaries and restoring true servants. He will provide pure and nourishing sustenance to those who previously fed on the bitter deceits of false teachings.
THEOSIS