Articles
Stubbornness
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"For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn calf; now the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country." (Hos. 4:16)
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Those in the cattle business can appreciate this metaphor. For a variety of reasons a cow or bull will become aggressive and difficult to manage, which can create problems among the rest of the herd. The owner may have several techniques for calming the beast and getting it to cooperate; but sometimes the owner will have no choice but to cull the animal from the herd.
Hosea was not alone in using the label "stubborn" to describe Israel (see also Deut. 9:27; Psa. 78:8; Jer. 6:28; and others). Though God was a shepherd to His people, they had a long track record of refusing to submit to His guidance. Again and again they tossed His law aside and went after the desires of their own hearts. When He sent prophets to reason with them, the people spurned the message and, in many cases, put the prophets to death. Their stubbornness was not a minor personality quirk, but a deliberate rejection of God's leadership. They were determined to live their lives the way they wanted, and no god was going to make them do otherwise.
Of course, this spirit never worked out well for them. The latter half of this verse is rendered variously among the translations, but the NKJV probably captures the idea best: God would turn Israel loose in the wilderness where she would become prey for the wolves. If she was determined to have her own way, fine; but she would not like the outcome of that defiant life.
What is true of cattle and Israel is true of each one of us individually. There is a fine line between perseverance in a righteous cause and stubbornness. Stubborn people are proud of their independence, their strength, their ability to "go it alone" without having to depend upon or listen to the counsel of others. But that spirit will also take them to an isolated place where predators will have their way with them.
In the beginning God said that "it is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18). That's why we share this world with billions of others--and we should appreciate that it is so. But an essential part of that experience is having the wisdom to listen to others, especially God. We are not nearly as smart as we think we are, and having the humility to consider ideas outside of our own can serve us well.
--David
