You’ve probably heard the word anthropomorphism before; and if not, you can search my posts on the website and read about it, but in summary, it is the idea of giving physical human attributes to non-human things. When we talk about the finger of God, the hand of God, or under the watchful eye of God, we are using anthropomorphic expressions. The word comes from the Greek words “anthropos” (human or mankind) and “morphe” (form). So we translate anthropomorphism as “human form” or a similar derivation. It was first used in 1753 in reference to the heresy of applying a human form to God.
There is a similar, but in some ways quite different, word that is sometimes used to describe the human-like non physical assignments we make to non-human things and that word, anthropopathism, is the topic of tonight’s post. This word comes from the Greek words “anthropos” (human or mankind) and “pathos” (feeling or suffering). The term was first used in 1655 and means to giving human feelings to non-human things. If you say that your dog is happy, or sad, you are using an anthropopathism!
The difference between these two terms is that one tends to refer to physical attributes and the other word focuses on the feelings – things such as anger, happiness, sadness, love, etc. Most folks don’t realize that there are two different terms that are used, both reserved for non-human beings. And it is not uncommon to use illustrations of these words in relation to our walk with God (does God have legs?)
Since we are not God, it is impossible for us to truly understand God’s emotions. Does He love the way that we love? Is the anger of God similar to how we get angry with one another? What about happiness and sadness? Our only reference to these things is how we would express love, sadness, happiness, etc. But something tells me that God’s feelings are far more intense than we can possibly imagine. While we may try to make comparisons to our human emotions, I just don’t know that it is possible to understand God’s passion for us – created in His image.
Now, every once in a while, somebody will tell me that since we were created in the image of God that we must share all the same attributes. I respectfully disagree. Just because we were made in the “image” of God doesn’t mean that we share all the same things. Rather, I would submit that an image means that we are a “likeness” of God – representing a spiritual and maybe even functional resemblance to God – not a carbon copy… Certainly, there is enough evidence in the Bible to make it clear that God is quite different from His human creation.
There are numerous places in the Bible where people cry out to God and many places where God bares His heart for His people. The psalms reflect this attitude but perhaps there is no greater illustration of God’s love for us than in the book of Hosea, an Old Testament book, written by the prophet of the same name.
Hosea marries Gomer, his wife, who eventually becomes unfaithful and turns her back on him. While our human instinct may be to leave her or divorce her, God commands Hosea to stay and love her. This whole story reminds us of the pain that God had gone through when he first loved Israel and chose the nation as His people. Then, Israel entered in sin, worshipping idols, intermarrying with foreigners and many other sinful acts that were not in accordance with God’s will for His chosen people. This comparison, and what Hosea went through in his own life, make it much more personal when he identifies with God and delivers God’s message to the sinful nation.
The book is a compelling read in light of the realization that God does not give up on His people, but loves them through their sin. By the way, that applies to us as well! In the 11th chapter of Hosea, God virtually pleads with His people to return. It is a heartfelt acknowledgment of what God has done for the nation of Israel and how God has loved them through everything.
Our verse for tonight comes from that emotional chapter – full of anthropopathisms. It is a compilation of parts of verses illustrating the angst of God – the love of a Father for His children, and the frustration of their continual sin. Hosea tells the people, and us, the words of God Himself in excerpts from chapter 11, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me… They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.… My people are determined to turn from me…. “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?… My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man— the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.”
My encouragement this evening is that God loves us more than we can imagine, even when we sin. We may be punished for our sinful ways, but in the end, God will be there for us, full of a love for us that we can’t begin to understand. I encourage you to read all of chapter 11 in Hosea… it’s worth a few minutes of your time… My prayer is that we will be open to the pleas of God to stand with Him and bask in the glory of the Father through all the days of our lives and into eternity. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…