Scripture: Hosea 6:1-7:2
Israel Unrepentant
6 “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.
5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth—
then my judgments go forth like the sun.
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 As at Adam, they have broken the covenant;
they were unfaithful to me there.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers,
stained with footprints of blood.
9 As marauders lie in ambush for a victim,
so do bands of priests;
they murder on the road to Shechem,
carrying out their wicked schemes.
10 I have seen a horrible thing in Israel:
There Ephraim is given to prostitution,
Israel is defiled.
11 “Also for you, Judah,
a harvest is appointed.
“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people,
7 1 whenever I would heal Israel,
the sins of Ephraim are exposed
and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
They practice deceit,
thieves break into houses,
bandits rob in the streets;
2 but they do not realize
that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;
they are always before me.
Observation:
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) As unrepentant as Israel was, God tells his people that he is not looking for sacrifices but for acknowledgement that He is God. He wants a forever relationship with his people, but they continue to turn away in sinfulness and deceit. But they only fool themselves for their evil deeds are ever before God.
Application:
The thought that God knows my every deed and every motive frightened me, because I knew that I was unworthy of God’s love. However, as I read and understand God’s Word, I realize that God is looking for me to repent of any evil within me so that i might be restored and reconciled. God desires my love and devotion and wants me to be in a righteous forever relationship with God. So repent and receive God’s soothing restoration and love.
Prayer:
Lord God, your word reveals to us that we have all fallen short of your love and your glory. Your word also reveals that you desire to forgive and restore us to a righteous relationship that acknowledges you as our Loving Lord. Help us as your children, redeemed by the blood of the lamb, to walk with you in righteousness, acknowledging your love and forgiveness. Amen.