… but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me. – Hosea 7:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 15, 2014): Hosea 7

In 1949, George Orwell released his novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” The novel has entered popular culture with such phrases as doublethink, Newspeak, telescreen, memory hole and 2 + 2 = 5 – all concepts that originated in Orwell’s book. But maybe the most persistent image from the novel is the idea that “Big Brother is watching.” The novel is written as a dystopian novel, a novel that is written in an opposite way from a utopian novel which highlights what is desirable. A dystopian novel is frightening and ultimately undesirable. In the case of “Nineteen Eighty-Four,” the plot is about the controlling, totalitarian government and a dehumanization of the people of this future age. And the idea that under this kind of a government that a “Big Brother is watching” is a terrifying prospect – one that is engrained on our psyche.

God speaks through Hosea, but his words are reminiscent of Orwell’s idea that “Big Brother is watching.” But the difference is important. In the Orwellian novel, the idea that Big Brother was watching was for control of the people. Unauthorized thoughts and activities were immediately punished – and there is no room for forgiveness. But while the idea of punishment is present in this Hosea passage, we also must realize that that the idea of forgiveness is also present. And the difference is found in us. Our sins engulf us not because of their existence or because of God’s knowledge of them, but often because of our refusal to acknowledge them. We believe that the sins committed in secret can never have any effect on us. But Hosea reminds us that even the things that we believe that no one knows about have an effect on who we are.

The ultimate Big Brother may be us. We know. And what we know we cannot escape. These are the things that engulf us. And the longer that we hide these things, the more dangerous they are to our long term well-being.

God does not hold our sins over us – we do. And while God remembers everything, he is also willing to forget, if only we will confess to him the very things that are threatening to engulf us. Forgiveness is offered freely, even for the things that are done in secret. It was a forgiveness that was available to ancient Israel, but they were ultimately unwilling to ask for it. And in the end, that may be the real danger. Not that God remembers everything, but rather that we remember everything, and while God is willing to forgive, often we refuse to extend that same forgiveness to ourselves – and to the things that are done in secret.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hosea 8