[:en]SCRIPTURE: HOSEA 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” (Hosea 6:1)
“Let us acknowledge the Lord’ let us press on the 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” (Hosea 6:3)
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burn offerings” (Hosea 6:6)
ISRAEL UNREPENTANT
God was going to appear like tht winter rain and spring rains that water the earth (v. 3). But Israel’s love for God was like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappeared (v. 4). They brought their sacrifices of burnt offerings but they had broken the covenant and were unfaithful to Him (vs. 6-7). They committed murder, shameful crimes and prostitution (v. 9). Therefore God was going to judge them by cutting them in pieces with His prophets and killing them with the words of His mouth (v. 5).
God desires mercy not sacrifice. He wants us to acknowledge Him by living in obedience to His Word. Engaging in religious services without real commitment to God is useless.[:]