Dawn in a valley of the hill country of Ephraim: thick white mist lies over the fields and fills the valley floor, first light just touching the top of the ridge.

The LORD’s case

Hosea 6

How long does your resolve to change usually last?

11 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–3Hosea’s marriageA wife, three names, and love bought back
4–6:3The LORD’s caseNo knowledge of God in the landChapter 6
6–11Sowing the windMist, kings, calves, and a love that won’t let go
11–14Return, O IsraelJacob’s story, death undone, and the last call

The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah

The Israelites

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The Israelites

For He has torn us to pieces,

but He will heal us;

He has wounded us,

but He will bind up our wounds.

After two days He will revive us;

on the third day He will raise us up,

that we may live in His presence.

The Israelites

The Israelites

So let us know—

let us press on to know the LORD.

As surely as the sun rises,

He will appear;

He will come to us like the rain,

like the spring showers that water the earth.

Reflect

Press on

The words are right, even if the hearts were not. What would it look like for you to “press on to know the LORD” this week? Write down one thing you will do, and one thing you will stop.

God

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?

What shall I do with you, O Judah?

For your loyalty is like a morning mist,

like the early dew that vanishes.

God

Night over the hill of Samaria: one fork of lightning strikes the dark ridge beyond the city, lighting its walls white for an instant.

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;

I have slain them by the words of My mouth,

and My judgments go forth like lightning.

God

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

and the knowledge of God

rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

God

But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant;

there they were unfaithful to Me.

God

God

Gilead is a city of evildoers,

tracked with footprints of blood.

Like raiders who lie in ambush,

so does a band of priests;

they murder on the way to Shechem;

surely they have committed atrocities.

God

In the house of Israel

I have seen a horrible thing:

Ephraim practices prostitution there,

and Israel is defiled.

God

God

Also for you, O Judah,

a harvest is appointed,

when I restore

My people from captivity.

Question

Quick question

The LORD’s answer to a mist-thin loyalty is one of the best-known lines in the prophets.

What does the LORD say He wants more than sacrifice?

You’ve experienced

Hosea 6

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A verse to carry with you

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

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