Oct 13, 2024 “Knowing God” (Hosea 6:1-6)

Knowing God

Hosea 6:1-6 

6 “Come, let us return to the Lord.

    He has torn us to pieces

    but he will heal us;

    he has injured us

    but he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us;

   on the third day he will restore us,

   that we may live in his presence.

3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;

   let us press on to acknowledge him.

   As surely as the sun rises,

   he will appear;

   he will come to us like the winter rains,

   like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim?

   What can I do with you, Judah?

   Your love is like the morning mist,

    like the early dew that disappears.

5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,

    I killed you with the words of my mouth—

    then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a]

6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

    and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Knowing God

Hosea 6:1-6

 

From the very first verses, the prophet calls Israel back to God. Obviously the Israelites had strayed from God, but we need to know what destructive path were they on.

 

Part of the problem was they had no knowledge of God.

 

Hosea 4:1 ESV

[1]  Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;  

 

What does it mean to know God? Those who know God will have a different relationship than those who do not know God. It is, in fact, about your relationship with God then simply knowing God.

 

A relationship requires communication and spending time with each other. Knowing God is not just reading the Bible. We need to have the Holy Spirit.

 

Hosea 6:6 ESV

[6] For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

 

Sometimes mercy is translated as steadfast love. Attending church is important, but the true purpose is to become closer to God

Why should we offer sacrifice? Everything comes from God and our offering is a confession that we acknowledge that God has given us.  

 

God does not want to be treated as an idol or someone who can be bribed. We should not give in order to receive. God wants to be our father.  

 

Hosea 6:4 ESV

[4] What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.

 

This verse talks of people who quickly profess their love for God and then forget about God. True worship has a lasting effect and influences everything.  

 

A good relationship needs meeting often and in meaningful ways. Rituals are good , but they can become empty practices. Attending church is also good, but we need to allow the Holy Spirit to change us, or we are just coming for the sake of coming.  

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