A Call to Repentance
Hosea 6:1-7
1 “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces;
now he will heal us.
He has injured us;
now he will bandage our wounds.
2 In just a short time he will restore us,
so that we may live in his presence.
3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
now he will heal us.
He has injured us;
now he will bandage our wounds.
2 In just a short time he will restore us,
so that we may live in his presence.
3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
4 “O Israel[a] and Judah,
what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist
and disappears like dew in the sunlight.
5 I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—
to slaughter you with my words,
with judgments as inescapable as light.
6 I want you to show love,[b]
not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me[c]
more than I want burnt offerings.
7 But like Adam,[d] you broke my covenant
and betrayed my trust.
what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist
and disappears like dew in the sunlight.
5 I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—
to slaughter you with my words,
with judgments as inescapable as light.
6 I want you to show love,[b]
not offer sacrifices.
I want you to know me[c]
more than I want burnt offerings.
7 But like Adam,[d] you broke my covenant
and betrayed my trust.
Footnotes:
- Hosea 6:4 Hebrew Ephraim, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel.
- Hosea 6:6 Greek version reads to show mercy. Compare Matt 9:13; 12:7.
- Hosea 6:6 Hebrew to know God.
- Hosea 6:7 Or But at Adam.
Thoughts on Today's Passage....
This is far from genuine repentance. The people did not understand the depth of their sins. God was calling them to repent which means to turn from sin and turn to God. To seek His forgiveness. To show true sorrow for their sins. To obey Him and stop sinning. However they did not turn from idols, did not change, or regret their sins. They thought God's wrath would only last a few days; little did they know that their nation would soon be taken into exile. Israel was interested in God only for the material benefits He provided; they did not value the eternal benefits of loving and worshiping Him.
Before judging these people, however, consider your own attitude. What do you hope to gain from your own personal relationship with God? Do you ''repent'' easily, without seriously considering what you need to stop doing? Do you show true sorrow for your sin? Remember sin breaks God's heart!!
Don't treat your relationship with God carelessly. If we treat our relationship with God like Israel did we could end up in hell. When we truly seek God's forgiveness we must allow Him to change us from the inside out.
After reading this I would love to hear your commencements.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know I am not alone saying this prayer or reading your Word this morning, but many people unknown to me, from all stations of life, have joined together in this brief moment of devotion. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be among the community of all who pray in the name of Christ this morning, and remain among us always.
Amen
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