Return, and Do Not Boast

These readings teach one lesson with a severe mercy: do not trust in birth, strength, or appearances, but return to the Lord in repentance and steadfast obedience. Reuben was firstborn, yet he lost the birthright through defilement. The tribes east of Jordan were strong in war when they cried to God, yet later they were carried away when they dealt unfaithfully. So a man may have rank, history, and victories, and still fall by sin. Lineage does not preserve the disobedient.

Job’s leviathan stands like the proud adversary whom no human hand can master. His face is shut with dreadful doors; his strength is not tamed by soft words or bargains. We are not to play with sin, nor imagine that what terrifies others will become our servant. As Origen says, “Who can open,” he says, “the doors of his face?” In order to understand what is said here, let us take the example of the actors, who wear masks not in order to show what they are but in order to show what they want to look like.” Sin promises one face and hides another. Idolatry and lust do the same. Tertullian says, “they are allured to the idols, so that they committed whoredom with the spirit also.”

Therefore Hosea’s call is for us: return with words, renounce false helps, and bring the sacrifice of confessing lips. Do not say, Assyria will save us; do not trust horses, money, influence, or fleshly cunning. Turn from the work of your own hands. The Lord wounds pride, but he receives the penitent. His pardon is abundant, yet it is given to those who return and bear the fruit of repentance.