Hosea 6:1-6
Chapter 6
1
Authentic Conversion
Come, let us return to the Lord. He who shattered us to pieces will heal us as well; he has struck us down, but he will bind up our wounds.2
Two days later, he will bring us back to life; on the third day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence.
3
Let us seek to know the Lord. His coming is as sure as the dawn; his judgment will shine forth like the light; he will come to us like showers, as spring rain that waters the earth.
4
O Ephraim, what should I do with you? O Judah, how should I handle you? Your love is like the morning mist, like the dew that quickly vanishes.
5
This is why I struck you through the prophets, and I have slain you with the words of my mouth.
6
For I desire love, not sacrifice; it is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.
Commentaries
Title.
The Lord’s case against Israel. This section provides a progressively detailed explanation of Hosea’s interpretation of the people’s behavior, using his wife’s actions as a reference point.
Authentic Conversion.
Finally, Israel returns to the Lord, but with a repentance that is fleeting and insincere. Furthermore, there is a blatant attempt to manipulate the Lord solly through reason, relying on the cycles of nature (3). God’s words confront because they are the truth that exposes falsehood (cf. Jn 3:19). The sacrifices of a hypocritical cult do not please the Lord; instead, what pleases Him is honest knowledge of God and fidelity to His covenant (6; cf. Mt 9:13).