On internship, I was fortunate enough to hear Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel speak at Penn State’s Schwab Auditorium. At one point during his presentation, he mused aloud, “Who is the most tragic character in the Bible?”
Now, more than 11 years later, I have to paraphrase the answer he gave to his own question. It went something like this: Jews might answer Isaac, who was almost slain by his own father. Christians might answer Judas, the one who played the role of betrayer.
But, no. Neither. The most tragic figure in the Bible is God. Page after page of Scripture records the stories of Him having his heart broken. God’s people are constantly dropping their end of covenants and agreements. God’s own people are forever turning away to other, false gods and idols of their own making.
I need to remind myself of this. It is too easy for me to think of the God of the Old Testament Prophets as an angry God, full of judgment and punishment. This text from Hosea helps me remember God’s heartbreak at my own misdeeds. The prophet gives voice to God’s agonizing over the fate of those He loves.
And, in the tenderness of the scene proclaimed by Hosea, “those He loves” includes you and me.
by Pastor Greg
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