Hosea 6:1-11
Q.1. What change did God foreshadow regarding His erring people? Why must those who know the Lord press on to know Him better? – (Hos.6:1-3)
God foresaw a day when His people will look for His healing after His discipline, and actually live before Him – 1 “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him (Hos.6:1-2). This was consistently God’s style of communication with His people. He strongly condemned their unfaithfulness yet prophesied a time of restoration for them. Their loyalty was as brief as the morning mist. He advised them – “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” (Hos.6:3). God is more than ready to shower His blessing on us. However, beyond knowing God, there is a call to press on to know Him better. Our initial decision to believe in our Lord and accept Him, must be followed by an earnest desire to grow in faith, and to develop an ongoing relationship with Him.
Q.2. What was it about Israel that frustrated the heart of God? Has God altogether finished with His people? – (Hos.6:4-11)
God had brought on the prophets, priests, and people, all the curses He had promised – I have slain them by the words of My mouth (Hos.6:5). The reason was that their sacrifices and worship were merely external, and not supported by a genuine love – For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hos.6:6). Again, Hosea closed his message with an unexpected word of comfort and hope – Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of My people (Hos.6:11). Who but God would be so gracious?