Original Sin

Thus says the LORD: They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority; they established  princes, but without my approval. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction. Cast away your calf, O Samaria! my wrath is kindled against them. How long will they be unable to attain innocence in Israel? The work of an artisan, no god at all, destined for the flames— such is the calf of Samaria!

When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind. The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour. Even if it could, strangers would swallow it. When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger’s. Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. (Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13)

These passages from Hosea remind us that big problems can arise from small incidents, that careless actions can lead to catastrophic events.  For example, a focus on profit and wealth, the silver and golden calves, while seemingly sensible can lead to life-long struggles to hold families together and to keep children safe from today’s many temptations to make bad and foolish choices. 

When we sow the wind with fear, hate, and racism, we reap the whirlwind meaning there are consequences, and they can be severe.  Sowing the wind in this way was vividly described by pastor and social activist Jim Wallis in his 2016 book America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America.  Highlighting racial bigotry and its history in the United States, Wallis described what’s wrong with our policing and criminal justice systems.  He suggested solutions that ironically have resurfaced in light of the killing of George Floyd – four years after America’s Original Sin.   That killing and others like it have created a whirlwind perhaps finally convincing white America and our government's leaders to stop sowing the wind.

Our stalks of grain must form ears and yield flour.   America must hear the outcries of people of color demanding justice – the flour needed for true reconciliation and far fewer occasions of the sin of racism.  If not, then we are destined for the flames - such is the calf of Hate & Ignorance.

Deacon David Pierce