How Shall I Give Thee Up

Two hands under a child's arms, walking him up and down the same six feet of floor, over and over, until the legs learn it.

That is God's own picture of himself here, supplied while remembering. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws. A parent lifting the harness so the animal can eat. Then the memory runs out: they refused to return, the Assyrian will be their king, the sword will abide on their cities. Hosea does not soften it.

Then the four questions in verse eight, which are not addressed to Israel at all. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Admah and Zeboim went down with Sodom and Gomorrah, and Deuteronomy names all four in a line about a land of brimstone and salt.

God has put the precedent on the table, the thing he has done before and could justly do again, and asks himself out loud whether he can. Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. The reason he gives has nothing to do with any improvement in them. For I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee.

Three chapters on, the book puts words in the mouth of anybody wanting to come back. O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. Borrow the sentence. It was written for people with nothing else to bring, by a God already overheard asking himself how he could let them go.

Daily Manna runs on a two-year cycle. The year one reading for day 271 is Satan Bruised Under Your Feet (Romans 16:20).

All 365 readings in Daily Manna, Year Two