Chapter 3: From Betrayal to Redemption: A Plea for Israel’s Return

(25 Pesukim)

Introduction

This chapter is a reflection of Hashem’s lament and warnings to Israel and Judah, highlighting their rebellion, idolatry, and betrayal. It emphasizes themes of repentance, redemption, and the promise of restoration.

1.      Hashem’s Lament Over Rebellion (3:1-5)

• Hashem questions Israel’s decisions, asking why they rebelled and separated themselves from Him.
• Like an Adulterous wife: Hashem proclaims: If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he return to her again? Would not such a return defile the land? Yet you, Israel, have acted as a harlot with many lovers—still, Hashem calls, “Return to Me.”
• You sat waiting for your lovers along the roads, like an ambusher in the desert, and through your acts of harlotry and your wickedness you have defiled the land.
• No Rain: Because of your behavior, the rains were withheld, and the latter rain did not fall. Yet you showed the brazen forehead of a harlot—you refused to feel any shame. Will you not now call out to Me, saying, “My Father, You have been the guide of my youth”?
• Despite punishment, Israel’s children failed to heed correction, continuing in their sins.
• In the days of King Yoshiyahu, Hashem said to me: Have you seen what wayward Israel has done? After she had done all these things, I said, “She will return to Me.” But she did not return—and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
• A bill of divorce: I observed that because of Israel’s adultery, I sent her away and gave her a bill of divorce.

2.      Rebellion of Yehuda: (3:6-10)

• Judah witnesses Israel’s betrayal but repeats the same sins, polluting the land further. Judah’s repentance is insincere, leading Hashem to declare Israel more righteous than Judah.
• Yehudas sins: Yet treacherous Judah, her sister, felt no fear; she too went and played the harlot. Through the brazenness of her harlotry, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and wood. And even after all this, treacherous Judah did not return to Me wholeheartedly, but only in pretense, says Hashem.

3.      Call for Repentance for Yisrael (3:11-15)

• Hashem declares that backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah, because Israel sinned openly while Judah witnessed her downfall yet continued in hypocrisy.
• Hashem calls out to the exiled northern tribes, urging them to return, promising that His anger will not endure.
• Admit wrong: All He asks is that they acknowledge their wrongdoing—having rebelled, pursued foreign gods, and ignored His voice.
• A promise of Return: If they return, Hashem will gather them back, even if only “one from a city and two from a family,” and He will bring them to Zion.
• There, He will provide shepherds—leaders—who guide them with true knowledge and understanding.

4.      Promise of Restoration (3:16-19)

• Restoration of the nation and Jerusalem: Hashem envisions a future where the nation will multiply and Jerusalem will become the Throne of Hashem.
• All nations serving G-d: All the nations will gather in Jerusalem and call onto His name and no longer follow evil.
• Unification of Yehuda and Yisrael: Judah and Israel will reunite and inherit the promised land together.
• Call me Father: Hashem chose the Jewish people to receive the land, and therefore desires for the Jewish people to call Him ‘Father’ and remain faithful to Him.

5.      Final Plea for Redemption (3:20-25)

• Hashem declares that Israel has betrayed Him like a woman unfaithful to her beloved.
• A voice of weeping is heard as the people recognize how they have corrupted their ways and forgotten Hashem.
• Shuvu Banim Shovivim: Hashem urges them to return, promising healing for their backsliding, and the people respond that they come to Him, acknowledging that salvation is found only in Hashem—not in the false hopes they once placed in hills and mountains.
• The Jewish people confess: They admit that idolatry has consumed their inheritance since youth and confess their shame, acknowledging that they and their forefathers have sinned from early days until now by refusing to heed Hashem’s voice.

Conclusion

The chapter culminates in a heartfelt plea for repentance and a promise of enduring restoration, underscoring Hashem’s desire to reconcile with His people despite their persistent sins.