Sermon Devotional: What Kind of Parent Is God?

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (ESV)

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
The more they were called, the more they went away. Hosea 11:1-2

Our Godspeed Pilgrim question for today is, “What kind of parent is God?” In responding to this question, we need to take care not to impose our views of earthly parents onto God the Creator’s parentage. Hosea 11 describes for us what kind of parent God the Father is to Israel, “his son.”

Hosea’s story of God’s parentage and Israel’s “childhood” is a story about God’s fidelity in the face of Israel’s infidelity. The contrast is stark and unmistakable. God’s unshakable commitment and devotion to Israel is met with deception and rejection. The Lord reveals, “Ephraim [another name for Israel] has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One” (Hos 11:12). Hosea tells the story of a Parent who has a beloved, challenging, rebellious child.

The character of God’s parentage as revealed in Genesis 1 and 2 tells us much and shows where the story begins. Before the world began and even though he did not need them, Creator God wanted children. Godspeed Pilgrim tells us, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And God made humans not because God was needy, but because God loved making children. God didn’t need slaves. God wanted children. God wanted kids! Slaves can only obey or disobey. Children can be loved, and learn to love” (GP, p. 19). Creator God made these children in his own likeness (Gen 1:26) and as a result they could have a unique, one-of-a-kind relationship with God. Genesis tells us that God created the Garden of Eden as a nursery for his first beloved children. He provided everything they would need for thriving life and meaningful labor. God was completely available and present to his beloved children and sought them as they “walked together in the cool of the day” (Gen 3:8). Because he loved them, the Creator placed healthy parameters on the garden and on the permissions given to his children. All in that exquisite garden was declared good, indeed even very good. What kind of Parent is God? He is Present, Available, Generous, Provider, Affectionate, Playful, Wise.

Hosea fast-forwards the narrative from the first garden and tells us more of God’s parentage story. The difficulties began when Israel’s first human parents chose to reject God’s good will for them. Millennia later, Israel’s relationship to the Creator repeatedly devolved. God continued to call to them, but “The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols” (Hos 11:2). Father God recalls, “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them” (Hos 11:3). The Lord taught Israel to walk – to live and to choose righteousness: “O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live” (Deut 4:1). “Have no other gods before me,” “Do not steal,” “Do not murder,” “Do not commit adultery.” (Deut 5 and Exod 20). But Israel continued to choose their own way rather than the life-giving good of God their Father.

What kind of parent is God to his rebellious and disobedient children? The Lord “led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them” (Hos 11:4). Hosea tells us that even though God was righteously angry, because of his unwavering love the Lord’s “compassion is aroused” and he determines that he will “not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man – the Holy One among you” (Hos 11:8-9).

God is the divine Parent who is always Holy and Righteous and Faithful and Just. He is the Compassionate One “who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, and who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:3-5). Thanks be to the Holy One of Israel.

Consider—
╬   Are you Godspeed-ing? Telling one another our Pilgrimage stories is an essential part of this journey.
Paul’s words, “Do not exasperate your children” (Eph 6:4 and Col 3:21), inspired one pilgrim to make amends with her child and to consider better ways of communicating love and care.

╬   Do you desire what God the Father desires for you? God is calling to us, his children. Hosea tells us that “the more they were called, the more they went away.” Stop for a moment. If you are going away from God, “Be still” and hear him call to you. You are already known by your Abba Father. Let yourself receive his love for you.

╬   Abba Father, we confess that we desire our own definitions of what is good more than we desire your perfect good for us. Forgive us. Because of your Son, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, renew our minds and hearts that we may have fellowship with you. It is in Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.