I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
Hosea 13:14 is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15. There part of the passage is explained and fulfilled: yes, death and the grace have some success, but the ultimate victory is ours through Jesus!
The kingdom of Israel didn’t know that ultimate fulfillment, but they did know that God was their Savior in Egypt, and that should have guided their heart and actions.
Yet, they didn’t, and they paid a heavy price.
Victory over death and the grave – and everything else – has been given to us through Jesus! Let us live in that joyful, glorious, and everlasting reality!
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
Chapter 11 is the most tender one in the book. It shows a loving Father whose heart breaks at the rebellion of His beloved Israel and what is in store. It shows that He loves and will restore His people in the end.
We see this restoration not just in the return of the remnant later, but ultimately in Jesus, who restores with right relationships and for all time!
“Heavenly Father, create in us new hearts, like Yours, and remind us of the joy of our salvation in Jesus, where the results of our prodigal hearts are forever reversed.”
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
There is something to be said for the strength that comes from a persecuted Church. In times of distress, it’s much easier to call upon the name of the Lord. Conversely, when times are prosperous and good, we often forget God. We forget His goodness; His grace; His blessings. We can easily fall into complacency and loose sight of Him.
This happened during some of the prosperous times in Israel and, in it, they forgot God (just as He warned).
“Lord, in good times and bad, may we always Call upon and depend upon You!”
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
It seems too harsh for us to consider God punishing the ones He loves. But most of the time, this punishment is simply the natural consequences of our stubborn idolatries, allegiances, desires, and addictions. They are the result of God “giving us over” to what we say we want.
You want to serve other gods? Go, be in their care!
You want to lust after others? Deal with the failed relationships and diseases that follow.
Should we choose our way rather than God’s, He won’t stop us; and woe to us if that happens!
“Lord, forgive us when we demand our own way and bring us back to Yours – always!”
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
Before getting to the unfaithfulness of the people, God has some choice words of judgement to His priests.
They are not interceding for the people to God, but interceding for themselves to false gods! They are oppressing God’s beloved rather then helping them. They are leading people astray rather than to God.
And the results are disastrous; not just for the priests, but for Israel, too!
“O LORD, send us faithful leaders who point people to Jesus! Point people to You!”
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
Hosea is the first of “The Book of the Twelve” or the “Minor Prophets” (though not chronologically first).
It shares a shocking command from God for the prophet in regard to his family in the first three chapters and then a series of collected “sermons,” warning Israel of God’s coming punishment and their exile; pleading with them to repent.
Yet they won’t and what is prophesied will come to pass.
Yet, even then, God’s love and grace will prevail and restoration will take place.
Through it all, God is good and faithful, even if His people aren’t.
I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ceb)
Hosea is one of those Bible books that often gets overlooked. There are some difficulties in it and, like most prophets, some of the things he has to say, well, don’t sound nice!
It’s as if what God has to say isn’t what we want to hear!
But it is something we need to hear – and then obey!
Hosea speaks to a people who have been grossly unfaithful to God, “whoring” after other gods and nations; being appallingly unfaithful in every way to the God to loves them.
He also warns Israel of the coming disaster – being conquered and deported to Assyria.
Yet, the story does not end in Assyria, but with the assurance of a coming Messiah, through Whom God’s loving covenant will be renewed – forever!
Our faithlessness as a people and as the Christian Church has plenty to heed from what God says through Hosea. Although we do not fear deportation again, we are called to be faithful in our love and commitment to God and His good, righteous Word and Law!
May we be so faithful!
Thank You, Lord God, for Your faithful and never-ending love for us!
