Old Testament
Hosea 6
Overview
The chapter opens with a beautiful summons to repentance — "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us" — and a hope that God will revive His people "on the third day." But God's response exposes the shallowness of this confidence: Israel's love is "like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away," quick to evaporate. The LORD utters the book's most famous principle: "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." The chapter ends grieving over the depth of corruption — priests who murder, treachery at Gilead and Shechem, and "a horrible thing" in the house of Israel.
1“Come! Let’s return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.
2After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we will live before him.
3Let’s acknowledge Yahweh. Let’s press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.”
4“Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early.
5Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning.
6For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.
8Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.
9As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder on the path toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
10In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.
11“Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.