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.
