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More Hosea commentaries
Hosea 3:1-5
The Interlude of Love
Hosea 4:1-10
The Contention of The Lord
Hosea 4:11-19
God Condemns Israel’s Idolatry
Hosea 6:1-11
A Call to Repentance
Hosea 7:1-16
The Heartlessness of The People
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A Call to Repentance
Hosea 6:1–11
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
In the washroom of his London club, British newspaper publisher and politician William Beverbrook happened to meet Edward Heath, then a young member of Parliament, about whom Beverbrook had printed an insulting editorial a few days earlier. “My dear chap,” said th … More
In these verses we find that the people did not understand the depth of their sins. They did not turn from their idols, regret their sins or pledge to make changes (vv. 1-2). It seems that they thought God’s wrath would only last for a few days. Little did they know that they would soon be taken into exile. Israel was interested in God only for the material benefits they hoped to receive and did not value the eternal benefits that come from worshiping Him. God had shown His faithfulness to Israel many times. Because of this they knew that if they sought to know Him and His ways, He would reveal Himself to them. The problem was that they were so deep in sin, they did not really want to know Him. The truth is that they wanted the benefits but not His discipline or guidance (v. 3).
Confession of sin can help people understand God and bring them into a closer relationship with Him. However, confession is helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love for and obedience to God (v. 6). If a person’s heart is far from God, confession will become empty mockery. God didn’t want the Israelites rituals; He wanted their hearts. One of Hosea’s key themes in this book is that Israel had broken the covenant God had made with them at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:20). The sad thing is that the people broke their agreement and continued in their unfaithfulness to God. Sacrifices and offerings made to God without a desire to love Him or know Him more are worthless. It is so easy for Christians to sing “I Surrender All” on Sunday morning, knowing full well that they will dedicate the rest of the week to fulfilling their own self-centered interests.Application
It easy for me to make a confession for sin in my life and appear to be committed to God without deep and sincere loyalty to Him. If I make a confession to God I need to back it up with my actions.
Hosea 6:1-11 (English Standard Version)
"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me. Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood. As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests band together; they murder on the way to Shechem; they commit villainy. In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled. For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore the fortunes of my people.
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