“Useless props”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, October 7, 2024
Hosea 14: 1-9 (Forward, p. 70) CEV p. 921
The word ‘prop’ can be used in several ways, as a shorthand for propeller, or as something a stage actor uses during his or her performance, or as a pole or beam used to temporarily hold something in place. In both of these two latter cases, the prop is something temporary and unessential, helpful but then discarded or put away after use.
In today’s passage, God is essentially describing many of the things that Israel has relied upon as ‘props.’ And what might these be? (I thought you’d never ask). He mentions several things in particular:
-religious formalities, going through the motions (here it is animal
sacrifices) without the intentions of the heart.
-foreign partnerships or alliances.
-military buildups and reliance on weapons systems.
-idols, anything worshipped or put in first place before God.
All of these can come under the category of sin, but now these are put behind them and the people of Israel are forgiven, healed, and restored. And what a restoration this shall be. They will flourish like a tree, like a bountiful grain crop, like a fragrant forest or vineyard. God will answer their prayers and take care of them. And so, in like manner, we too can expect this of God. Thanks be to God.
Forward notes: “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God” (verse 1a).
“After attending a Los Angeles Clippers game, we were accosted by (I presume) well-meaning Christians standing outside the facility who implored us to repent or we would be faced with hell.
“I don’t think repentance has to be so brimstone and hellfire. To repent simply means to return. What are we returning to? We’re simply returning to the life God has always intended for us. By repenting, I’m acknowledging that I tried to live my life my way, and, well, it didn’t work out very well. When I repent, I acknowledge that I long to return to the life God has always intended for me to live.
“I feel like that’s a more powerful message: return to the life that God always intended for you; return to the life that you were meant to live rather than ‘Repent or go to hell.’”
Moving Forward: “Are you living the life God has intended for you? What needs to change so that can happen?”