Canter Bridge

Hosea is a torturous work, not chiefly for its unending textual complications but more immediately for the fearful conundrum in which its northern Israelite originator and its Judean stewards find themselves. We read time and again that YHWH has turned against Israel, has become its chief antagonist, has determined to wipe the slate clean of his troublesome, rebellious sons.

In the mix comes the occasional summons to seek restoration of Israel’s relationship, though in the book’s honesty the head wound this once buoyant friendship has suffered may prove to be mortal.

Yet the prophet declares to claim that the same YHWH who has grievously stricken his errant people might just be moved to heal them. Employing a word that is almost always translated by ‘pursue’ and probably should be here as well, the text urges Israel to know, to press on to know (or to pursue the knowledge of …) YHWH:

Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.

It is a more energetic mustering of strength than wounded men and women can normally accomplish. It is heroic in its way. It is a Hail Mary thrown down the field with seconds left on the clock, hoping against hope that a receiver will be paying attention and have good hands.

It is what people do when all other hope has exhausted itself. The prophet has only one animating word regarding YHWH’s hoped-for response: ‘He will come to us like showers.’