Sentence of Death
Just as the drama seems to be playing itself out nicely along the lines of repentance, forgiveness and restoration there is yet one more twist in the tail — almost as if either Yahweh cannot quite bring himself to do it or the prophet cannot believe that he will. There are, surely, rare cases where things have gone too far. The words are uncompromising: ‘compassion is hidden from my eyes’ (v 14). You can almost feel Yahweh wrestling with it as he tries to avoid the inevitable sentence of death.
First, he agonises over the relationship (vv 4-6). It was so close. And for so long. Not only the exodus but the continual care ever since, first in the wilderness, then in the settlement. Statements that are not only fact but also symbols. Had he not remained faithful ‘through all the changing scenes of life’? How could they have forgotten. Much worse than all the evil they have done is the breaking of a relationship, and even then not so much through a quarrel as through indifference. Fences really do have to be mended. Could this perhaps be the point where we allow the mind to float between Yahweh and Israel on the one hand and Hosea and Gomer on the other? Relationships is at the heart of this book as Hosea explores his own experience in the light of Israel, and Israel’s experience in the light of his personal situation.
Second, is it possible to imagine Yahweh or the prophet trying to handle the problem with a touch of humour. Israel’s enemies were sometimes portrayed as wild animals. One suggestion is that this, turned round, is what lies behind Yahweh’s self-portrayal as a leopard or a bear (vv 7-8). Might we even go further go further and hear him saying, ‘Wait till they get my bear behind them — then they’ll know what a wild animal is!’ And the kings needn’t make any claims for themselves either. You can tell them I was never behind their appointment. (vv 10-11).
But then thirdly, the harshest of all. Should he hand them over to death? Or can he treat them as they have treated him? Can he too forget and leave them to self-destruct through their military exploits.