Out Our Way: Come back to me - Hosea 3

Out our way, I am always amazed and astonished at how the critters I work with are so much more loving and forgiving than I am. I have sometimes been in a bad mood and spoken harshly to Doc to Jack when they crossed me, I have whacked Doc with the lead rope when he balked at loading and, from time to time, I have smacked him, when I got frustrated or angry, with the quirt or reins when he was slow to respond and I was impatient. Now and then, paying no attention, I have stumbled over Jack and stepped on his paws causing him to yelp and run. Yet Doc and Jack have always forgiven me.

I — or they — have messed up, and though not always man — or horse — or dog — enough to admit it at first, somehow love overcomes the fault. And when Doc has bucked me off, or Jack has misbehaved, if I will still my anger and be willing to forgive, they respond. And when I have been the one and fault and open my arms to them, approaching in a non-threatening way that asks forgiveness, they do not hesitate to accept it and the breach is repaired. I just wish I could forgive and restore broken faith as quickly as they do.

Years ago, I discovered the music of the Weston Priory in Vermont and one of the songs they sang was called “Hosea.” Hosea was a prophet whose wife, Gomer, was an adulteress. Hosea was faithful but Gomer was not. Yet God challenged Hosea to forgive her adultery and reach out to her as an image and sign of God’s willingness to forgive Israel’s betrayal of God’s love. The song sung by the monks went:

“Come back to me, with all your heart; don’t let fear keep us apart. Trees do bend, though straight and tall, so must we to others call. Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.”

Although it is Hosea singing to Gomer, it is really meant to be understood as God singing to us. Those who have been abandoned and betrayed in marriage as Hosea was understand the outrage, humiliation and total heartbreak, and even those who have not can yet grasp the depths of the hurt, sorrow and rage endured by the betrayed. But can any of us fully accept that very likely we are “Gomer” and have abandoned and betrayed God in the same way?

Using the image of Gomer’s adultery and Hosea’s willingness to forgive her abandonment and betrayal, God calls us to come back and accept His forgiveness as well. But we will do so?

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, like Hosea, the father awaits to forgive — but can only do so when the sinner wakes up to his/her sin and leaves it. As you may recall, the word “sin” literally means “to miss the target,” and the word “repent” means to “change one’s mind” — i.e. correct your aim.

To use another favorite image, “You can’t get to where you want to go by heading in the opposite direction, nor get to the attic by going down to the basement.”

Gomer can be forgiven and restored by Hosea as Israel can be forgiven and restored and as we can be forgiven and restored despite our infidelity. But forgiveness, though freely offered, cannot be received unless it is accepted.

Hosea offered restoration as a free gift, but Gomer had to take it. The same holds true for us. Perhaps we reject the gift of forgiveness because of pride — blinded by self-delusion we say we don’t need it because we are without sin. Perhaps we reject it out of guilt, for to accept it we would have to admit our own failure, even if we cling to the wrong we feel was done against us.

Heading the herd down off the spring/summer pasture to the fall/winter grazing, I noticed the “good old boys club” gathered together.

These were the bulls who had fought and attacked each other all spring when the cows were in season. All bore scars and wounds, and at least once Charlie and I found a bull who was so badly hurt from a fight we had to shoot him. But there they were peacefully lying around in a group, totally at peace with the world and each other. Pretty wondrous sight, and I envied them such tranquility. But then I realized it was only possible because they forgave the wounds they have received and were forgiven for the wounds they had given.

Seems I have heard something like that before — someone suggesting I needed to “forgive others as He forgave me.” What a concept. Thank God for those professors along the Tiger Ridge and Bear Paws who patiently taught an old sinner such “horse sense theology.”

Blessings,

Brother John Briungton