Hosea 6

6:1-3 In response to God’s acts of judgment on Israel, the religious leaders called the people to return to the Lord in repentance and urged everyone to know the Lord. • The rains in early spring were essential to the agricultural cycle of the land.

6:4 The response of Israel was inadequate; God lamented that their love disappeared like morning mist and dew.

6:6 In one of Hosea’s key verses, God names the most important qualities that should characterize the Israelites’ covenant lives with him. First, the Lord wants his people to show love more than he wants sacrifices. Love (Hebrew khesed) includes faithfulness (see 4:1; 6:4). God is always faithful (Ps 136), and he requires the same of his people. Second, the Lord wants Israel to know him more than he wants burnt offerings. Knowing God is much more than simply knowing facts about God (see “Knowing God” Theme Note). An intimate personal relationship with God is characterized by complete trust and integrity. Sacrifice still had a proper place in Israelite religion, but only when it was offered by a people who truly knew and loved God (see Isa 1:10-17; Amos 5:21-24; Mic 6:6-8).

6:7-11 Hosea traces the way that human rebellion against God began with Adam and spread through the cities of Israel to the land of Judah.

6:9 Priests form bands of robbers: Hosea again condemns the religious leaders for their crimes (see 4:4-8).

6:10 something horrible: The prophet uses this rare word (also in Jer 18:13) to describe the depth of Israel’s sin in breaking God’s covenant and betraying his trust.