Hosea 6 Commentary
Chapter 6 is highlighted by verse 6: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Affluence is the most likely culprit when acknowledgment of God disappears. All sorts of things take His place: education, smart deals, technology, skills, diligence, integrity, and the rest. Wealth has a way of dislodging the humble reverence from the saint’s heart. Isn’t the world a classroom in which we constantly learn the value of showing up and image building? The self becomes important. We owe our success to these qualities.
‘Need’ or ‘want’ can be as terrible as affluence. Remember how Israel turns to Assyria for help! It says a lot about your spirituality when the first word is ‘money’ or ‘medicine’ whenever a crisis hits. God calls it sin. Or check your worry levels whenever your bank account dries up!
Hosea has emphasized and prioritized ‘acknowledgment’ of God.
Church attendance and good works could easily fit the description of “sacrifices and burnt offerings”.
But Israel’s problem isn’t new. Things fell apart at the beginning. Adam’s rebellion in the Garden of Peace and tranquility is referenced. It is an old problem.
However, the prophet underlines the hope of revival and restoration. As we read in the Book of the great prophet Isaiah, revival comes with the Servant, the Son born to us, Immanuel, or the Prince of Peace with the government on His shoulders. Isaiah 9.
The term government reminds the saint of the lost dominion of Genesis 3. The prophet has written about the ‘current situation’ but references the age-old rebellion while pointing to the hope of restoration in the prophet’s distant future. And we know it all came together at Calvary. Then “we may live in His presence”. Verse 2b.
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