Sermon Central
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[130]. A Message From A Poem – How Can I Give You Up, O My Son?
Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 12, 2025 (message contributor)
[130]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HOW CAN I GIVE YOU UP, O MY SON?
This is a serious poem because it is based on a serious verse, one that has strong application to the cross. Here is the passage – {{Hosea 11:7-8 “My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, none at all exalts Him. HOW CAN I GIVE YOU UP, O EPHRAIM? HOW CAN I SURRENDER YOU, O ISRAEL? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? MY HEART IS TURNED OVER WITHIN ME. ALL MY COMPASSIONS ARE KINDLED.”}}
I have an Easter message on this same subject and it is here – https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/how-can-i-give-you-up-o-my-son-there-is-no-other-way-easter-message-ron-ferguson-sermon-on-easter-267761
This passage exposes the breaking heart of God for Israel. Their sins were gross and the penalty was coming, but the LORD struggled with surrendering His people to destruction by Assyria. His heart was churned. His compassions were mixed and it was difficult. I am not going to look at emotions attributed to God right now – not my purpose here.
I believe the same turmoil God had with the destruction and judgement of Israel was the same the Father had with the cross. “How can I give you up, My Son?” I gave the link to that sermon and please read that to understand this poem better.
Love and compassion are attributed to God often in scripture. The LORD surrendering Israel to destruction brought out both emotions. So did the cross. One question I will leave you with is, “What is your response to the love and compassion of the Lord on the cross?”
{{Acts 2:23 “this Man, DELIVERED UP BY THE PREDETERMINED PLAN AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.”}}
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HOW CAN I GIVE YOU UP O MY SON?
Heaven declares His majesty on high.
Cherubim and angels unite in praise.
To the Lamb enthroned, His Church can draw nigh.
Glory and praise to His great Name they raise.
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God’s heart was breaking to give up His Son.
Churned were His emotions in that pursuit.
How can the Father’s love see that work done
To love, redeem, and call the destitute?
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How can I surrender You, O My Son?
How can I enter You into judgement?
Is there another way? No, there is none.
There’s no one else to battle the serpent.
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In the scroll’s volume – “Here am I. Send Me.”
Love and compassion paved salvation’s way.
Jesus chose that way to Calvary’s tree.
Before Him, great joy of the redeemed lay.
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That we might be redeemed, the Father gave
The very best – the Son most glorious;
The Son, through suffering, mighty to save
That we, the destitute, are virtuous!
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The love of God was to us unknown,
Who rejected Him and went our own way;
But mercy and love, and tenderness were shown.
How wonderful! We’ll meet Him on that day!
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26 June 2021 R E Ferguson 10-10-10-10 ABAB
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