Old Testament Grace

Ok, so its been awhile. We will quickly recap (can you recap something you haven't done?) chapters 8-10 and jump on in to 11 because 4 chapters is too many to tackle after such a long break of non-blogging.
Chapter 8 deals with the independent spirit of the nation of Israel and how they attempted to live without God's guidance. Verse 4 tells of their choice in leadership without the authority given by God and their idol worship. Verse 8 describes Israel as a useless vessel. Verse 14 says that Israel has forgotten their Maker and because of it they will reap destruction.
Chapter 9 tells of their captivity to Assyria and Egypt. Verse 7 says that "The days of punishment have come". Verse 11 and 12 tells of the barrenness of the people. It says God will prevent the reproduction of His people and even if they do bear children they will die in verse 16.
Chapter 10 shows Israel in a continuous state of rebellion despite of their captivity. Apparently they never heard the story of God bringing them out of Egypt once before. Verse 12 is great. "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."
Well that was more like a highlight of the last 3 chapters than a recap. I'll just pretend like that is what I meant....
Ok, chapter 11. I love this chapter because it is a picture of the greatest moment of my life. It is hard to say it is better than the moment I met Christ, but it means a great deal to me. To be safe I'll just say it is the second greatest moment of my life. I'll explain as we get into the chapter. Israel is compared to a child that does the opposite of whatever they are told. Verse 2 says, "The more they were called, the more they went away." Because of Israel's disobedience they have become captive by Assyria and they are destroyed not by God, but by their own wicked devices. Verse 7 is where my life begins to fit into the chapter. "My people are bent on turning away from me". A year ago September, I was living for whatever I desired to do. I was aware of God, but had no desire to die to myself and live for Him. It was like I was living as far away from God as I could, yet still be in sight of Him. It gave me a sense that I was doing the right thing, but the only person I was fooling was myself. God was in the back of my mind somewhere, but I was not obedient to what I knew was right. I feel that I pushed God's grace to the limit and when I did I could have lost my future. I'm being vague on purpose, so if your not following my train of thought than don't think too much on it. Verse 8 is like my second saving grace. God says, "How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender." At the height of my depravity God had compassion on me. I deserved the fruit of my labor, but I was spared of my consequences. I thought that because God was somewhere in the back of my mind that I was secure, but it was because I was at the front of God's mind that I am where I am today. I owe my life to God because Jesus died for me and took my sins and made them his own.