Hosea 6:1-7

1 "Come, let's go back to the Lord. He has hurt us, but he will heal us. He has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds.

2 In two days he will put new life in us; on the third day he will raise us up so that we may live in his presence

3 and know him. Let's try to learn about the Lord; he will come to us as surely as the dawn comes. He will come to us like rain, like the spring rain that waters the ground."

4 The Lord says, "Israel, what should I do with you? Judah, what should I do with you? Your faithfulness is like a morning mist, like the dew that goes away early in the day.

5 I have warned you by my prophets that I will kill you and destroy you. My justice comes out like bright light.

6 I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

7 But they have broken the agreement as Adam did; they have been unfaithful to me.

Hosea 6:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 6

This chapter gives an account of some who were truly penitent, and stirred up one another to return to the Lord, encouraged by his power, grace, and goodness, Ho 6:1-3; and of others, who had only a form of religion, were very unstable in it; regarded more the ceremonial law, and the external sacrifices of it, than the moral law; either that part of it which respects the love of the neighbour, or that which concerns the knowledge of God; and dealt treacherously with the Lord, transgressing the covenant, Ho 6:4-7; particularly the city of Gilead is represented as full of the workers of iniquity, and is charged with bloodshed, Ho 6:8; yea, even the priests were guilty of murder and lewdness, Ho 6:9; and Israel, or the ten tribes in general, are accused of whoredom, both corporeal and spiritual, with which they were defiled, Ho 6:10; nor was Judah clear of these crimes, and therefore a reckoning day is set for them, Ho 6:11.