Corporate Rebellion and disdain
Hosea 6 carries on the theme of corporate rebellion and disdain for God’s law and goodness. However, we also find a theme of redemption here. This theme follows with the corporate rebellion, as it is a corporate awakening and call to repentance. What the prophet is telling us is that God is steadfast, He is unchanging. When there is sin in the camp, it is our problem. God didn’t change the rules and forget to tell us. We have known all along what He expects from His children. When we walk away from Him, we need to deal with that. Sometimes individually, but as here, sometimes corporately. But here is the cool part. God is also a god who forgives. If we repent, we will be welcomed back with open arms.
1 John 1:9 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God doesn’t just want their sacrifices
Verses 4-7 are interesting to me. In the Old Testament the sacrificial system was in full-force. However, the readers are told here that God doesn’t just want their sacrifices. He wants their hearts. In our day, we have that same faulty system working in us. If I just go to church enough, or if I just don’t do A, B, and C God will accept me. Here we learn that is not the case. God wants your heart first. The actions that prove we love Him flow from a changed heart. We cannot “Do” the things that God wants from us without Him having control in the heart and mind. The last verse is a promise that God is going to restore His people. Fear not Christian, as you look at the world around you remember that the end is already written. Stay faithful, know God, love Him, and in the end you will be victorious.
Rev. Jonathan Welch
