Hosea Chapter 6

Scripture Reading:  Read Hosea Chapter 6. 

Shallow “Faith”:

Hosea 6:4-6 – “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.  Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”  (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself saying “sorry” for something you were not genuinely sorry for?  Of course you have!  Apologies are not always sincere and genuine.  Sincere remorse over our wrong actions involves genuine change and even a process of relational restitution with the people we’ve hurt. 

Israel seems remorseful for their sin in the first part of chapter six, but they show themselves insincere, as we can see. God says that their remorse is like the morning mist. Morning mist is noticeable in the morning, but it quickly disappears when the sun comes out. Israel was not sincerely remorseful for their sin; they merely wanted to get back into God’s good graces. 

Furthermore, their rituals of worship, like sacrifices and offerings, are worthless because they have no sincere love behind those acts of worship.  Our relationship with the Lord must not become mechanical, pressing the right buttons of repentance and religious ritual. No, a right relationship with the Lord grows out of a foundation of love. It is this love that should guide our actions, not the rituals themselves. 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for pursuing me with your love when I am undeserving.  Help me, Lord, to love you with sincerity and loving obedience.