A Call to Repentance
October 26, 2019
Commentary
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. l-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. l9:20). 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’s 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. If it has anything to do with someone else, I need to also make it right with them.
Hosea 6:1– 11 (NET)
1 Come on! Let’s return to the Lord. He himself has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us! He has injured us, but he will bandage our wounds!
2 He will restore us in a very short time; he will heal us in a little while, so that we may live in his presence.
3 So let us search for him! Let us seek to know the Lord! He will come to our rescue as certainly as the appearance of the dawn, as certainly as the winter rain comes, as certainly as the spring rain that waters the land.
4 What am I going to do with you, O Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, O Judah? For your faithfulness is as fleeting as the morning mist; it disappears as quickly as dawn’s dew.
5 Therefore, I will certainly cut you into pieces at the hands of the prophets; I will certainly kill you in fulfillment of my oracles of judgment, for my judgment will come forth like the light of the dawn.
6 For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.
7 At Adam they broke the covenant; Oh how they were unfaithful to me!
8 Gilead is a city full of evildoers; its streets are stained with bloody footprints!
9 The company of priests is like a gang of robbers, lying in ambush to pounce on a victim. They commit murder on the road to Shechem; they have done heinous crimes!
10 I have seen a disgusting thing in the house of Israel: there Ephraim commits prostitution with other gods, and Israel defiles itself.
11 I have appointed a time to reap judgment for you also, O Judah! Whenever I want to restore the fortunes of my people,