Therefore I am like maggots to Ephraim, and like rottenness to the house of Judah. When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. (Hosea 5: 12-15)

In reading any text - but especially the Bible - I am influenced by Hans-Georg Gadamer. The German philosopher suggests that human understanding emerges from a "fusion of horizons." The horizon - experience, intent, aspirations - of the author interacts with the horizon of the reader.

Hosea almost certainly perceives a jealous and punishing God. I can imagine such a God. But I have not - yet - experienced such a God. Rather, even when God's reproof is deserved, I have received forgiveness and love.

As the text reads, I acknowledge my guilt. But Hosea's Hebrew - 'asham - is stronger than acknowledgement. I wonder if is related to the English ashamed. This is to be guilty, to grieve, and to engage in painful self-correction. I can do this. But I am also self-justifying and fully capable of deep denial.

We live in an area where cougars - a sort of North American lion - have been seen. No child, nor even goat, has been harmed. But the rumor of their presence has excited fear. There was news yesterday that a cougar has been shot and killed. We dislike being reminded we are vulnerable. If possible we will act to remove the source of vulnerability.

Whenever we open ourselves to the divine - whenever we truly engage reality - we come face-to-face with our own weakness. It is disconcerting. It is humbling. It can be cleansing and renewing. There are many lions about. We cannot kill them all. Many are of our own making.

Being aware of lions and the risk they pose, but choosing not to fear them and, perhaps, even learning to abide with them is one way to engage new horizons. The call of faith is one of expanding horizons. I seek to engage Hosea's horizon. I seek the horizon of my beloved. I seek the horizon of my enemy. I continue on the path that leads over the horizon to my God.

Above is the 6th Century BC Lion of Nebuchadrezzar II. Originally in Babylon, now in Berlin.