Monday, February 20 2012
Hosea 6
Verse of the Day: V1 “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”
1. God Rebuilds (V1)
V1 “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”
Prophet Hosea pleaded with the people of Israel not to sin against God but to repent of their sins and return to Him. Subsequently, God allowed their enemies to attack and destroy their cities, houses and lives, so that the only way they could defeat their enemies, and rebuild their cities, houses and lives, was to repent of their sins and return to Him.
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1)
2. God Revives (V2)
V2 “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.”
God promised the people that He would revive them and blessed their lives if they would repent of their sins and return to Him. However, the people refused to repent and return to God. Hosea’s message was also a prophetic one as it prophesied of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would die on the cruel cross, and would be buried, and finally would rise again on the third day according to His Word.
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:4)
3. God Rebukes (V3-11)
V5 “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.”
Time and again God sent prophets like Hosea to rebuke the people of Israel to repent of their sins and wickedness, and to return to Him. However, instead of taking heed of God’s rebukes, they continued in their sins and wickedness. They thought that they could get away with their sins and wickedness by their sacrifice and burnt offerings to God. They failed to realise that God desired them to be merciful to others, and to have the thirst and knowledge of His Word more than their sacrifices and burnt offerings to Him.
V6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to return to You and to know You and Your Word.
