Hosea 6
1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11 Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
Common Questions About Hosea 6
What call does chapter 6 open with?
The chapter opens with an appealing call to return to the LORD, trusting that He who has torn will also heal, and that after a short time He will revive and raise up His people, seemingly a hopeful invitation to repentance.
Why does God express frustration despite this call to return?
God responds that Israel and Judah's love and devotion is like the morning mist or early dew, quickly disappearing, showing their repentance to be shallow and short-lived rather than genuine, and declares that He desires steadfast love and knowledge of God rather than mere ritual sacrifice.
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Questions to Think About
- Israel's repentance was compared to morning dew, quick to appear and quick to vanish. How consistent is your own devotion to God over time, versus being emotional but short-lived?
- God says He desires mercy over sacrifice, genuine heart change over ritual performance. Where might you be relying on religious activity instead of real transformation?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
