Hosea Chapter Six

Written By: Timothy Fish Published: 10/18/2008

A call to return to the Lord is at the beginning of Hosea six. The last of chapter five mentioned that they returned quickly after a little affliction. The words here seem sincere. They want the blessings of the Lord, so they turn to him.

Beginning we verse four, we wonder just how sincere these words were. The Lord compares their goodness to a morning cloud and as the early dew. We often see wispy clouds in the morning. They come off of lakes and rivers. As the sun rises and heats the air, the cloth disappears. The dew is very similar. Moisture in the air condenses at night and collects on the grass. The moisture lasts for a while, but it is usually gone before noon. The people’s words may have sound sincere, but they would soon go back to their old ways.

“For I desire mercy and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6) What God wants is a right relationship with him. He wants us to try to obey him and seek to have a greater knowledge of him rather than sinning against him and then going and confessing our sins. As we look at the cross, we see a better picture. Jesus provided the way by which God could extend mercy to people who are unable to keep the law. Then he gave us the Holy Spirit to give us the knowledge of God in our hearts.

God’s people had broken the covenant and sinned against him. He wanted to bring them back.

For the Love
of a
Devil

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