Notes for Hosea 11 and Luke 12:13-21 August 4, 2019

Hosea 11-In our time, perhaps we can substitute a grandparent for the parental image being used here, to get at its nostalgia for young children. What  do the bands of love and human cords mean? Were children in ancient times led with a leash as some children are now  in public spaces?  Could it be the difference between a domesticated beast and a child? On the other hand, one could refer to Egyptian child rearing  plans on having a child play and enjoy until around 6.

Admah and Zeboiim  were destroyed cities a la Sodom, see also Dt.29:23 by its mention of fierce anger. God decides not to execute fierce anger  in v. 9.

Of course, vv.8-9 shows a deity far different than the dispassionate God of the philosophers. Here God is torn up about how to proceed. One could compare god’s anguished self-reflection to the self-reflection of the rich man in Luke. Unlike many of us, mercy wins. Note: following Trible-compassion (ruhumah)  is a word well translated as motherly love as it is connected the rehem, the womb.

If one feels more adventurous, select the image of the parent v. the jilted spouse of Hos.1 and the surprising lion image at the end of our section, OK periscope, for those so inclined, or the mother bear image of 13:8.

The Lukan passage 12: is a difficult passage in a society that is neglecting its retirement plans. It is a direct assault on acquisitiveness.

 In Indiana, we have a great image of the metal grain storage bins.

Greed is closer to a hunger for more and more-it may be linked to coveting, but more likely, avarice-think Scrooge or our attitude toward a 401 (k) or the market.

Fool is a frequent opposite for wisdom in Proverbs .Here, aphron is one who foams at the mouth, yes, as if possessed (Lk.9:39).Now there is an image: our attachment to possessions si an example fo possession.

One could consider the ways we treasure “good things” (another way of translating goods.)

Notice that once again Jesus refuses to make himself an arbiter for the decisions of others; he refuses to be placed in triangles. (One could be bold and use this as an invitation to speak about systems in congregations).