They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; they gash themselves for grain and wine; they rebel against me. It was I who trained and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me. They turn to that which does not profit; they have become like a defective bow; their officials shall fall by the sword because of the rage of their tongue. So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt. (Hosea 7: 14-16)

We feel pain. We blame another. We feel alone. We blame another. We wail over our sufferings and blame others.

I do not reach out to others. I do not seek the help of others. I do not turn to God, but pursue empty goals. And I may even rage at God.

When we are stubborn in this way - and wall ourselves off from God and others - there is no chance of help. Anger with others must make way for self-correction.

Stringing the bow of this era depended on bending back a very strong and reflexive curve. Unless done with care, the bow can suddenly recoil and might break the arm or take out an eye of the archer. The harm is, however, the result of a natural reflex caused by the error of the archer.