NOTES for Hos 5:15
In the biblical books (particularly in the prophetic sermons and in the hymnographies) often appears the image of God, Who turns away, forgets, leaves. Sometimes we understand it literally, as a form of punishment imposed on man by God (such view is usually proper to believers and religious people), sometimes as a simple allegory, as for example the anthropomorphisms so frequently met in the Bible. But is it only an allegory here? And in what sense can one speak about punishment, if God simply leaves in peace those who want in particular only it? Moreover, by looking at it closer not everything is so simple.
Of course, the commandments, for example, turn out rather often a burden even to those who consider themselves believers. And here there is not only hypocrisy, here there is the desire to see God and even to receive support from Him, but without encumbrance of any conditions. The ideal God for such people would be the God, Who gives all that we ask, and ask for nothing in return. They are not at all against relationships with God, if these relationships will be easy and without responsibilities. And they are not generally conscious that, if they [relationships] were really like that, those who ask would have become very fast victims of their own desires, the immediate execution of which would transform their life into hell much more early than they think.
It is not surprising that in such situation God steps aside. But how is it possible? Is not God omniscient and almighty? Yes, but there is also in the anthropomorphism of the biblical image of God its spiritual truth. And the problem is not that God is similar to man, but that man was created by God in His image. And if it is not at all difficult to us to remember and to know something important about the person, with whom we do not wish to communicate, then it will be even more easier to God.
And on the other hand, as for us, to know about person and to know a person are different things, and also for God to know our existence and to know us personally is not the same thing. The first one can be considered as an objective reality connected with God's omniscience, the second - as the consequence of His decision, and which may not be. Well then it turns out that God, knowing everything about us, will not want to know us personally. Until we began to put Him conditions, which are ready to let Him in our houses and in our lives.