My daughter Yumi is now at an age (3) where she can communicate somewhat, and as a result, it’s very clear that she’s starting to understand the concepts of right and wrong.
It seems recently, especially, that she’s starting to put my wife and I to the test. She’ll start to climb the kitchen table, for example, we’ll tell her no, and she’ll immediately do it again.
After a warning or two, she gets sent to her room and isn’t allowed out until she apologizes for her actions.
There are times, however, when she will apologize, and she clearly doesn’t mean it.
She’ll put on the cutest face possible, and say “I’m sorry,” thinking that her cuteness will get her a pass.
But because she now knows the difference between right and wrong, it no longer does.
That was the situation with God and the Israelites.
At times they would make a show of seeking the Lord, but their actions the rest of the time showed “a spirit of prostitution.”
And so God told them,
When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. (Hosea 5:6)
Because of their unfaithfulness, God sent discipline in their lives.
But though the Israelites would eventually turn to God, their attitudes were much like my daughter’s. They said they were sorry, but didn’t really mean it.
This is shown in their words in chapter 6, where they said,
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.
After two days, he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
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. (Hosea 6:1-3)
Beautiful words. But look at the Lord’s response.
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. (4)
In other words, “You say all these beautiful words. And for a short time, you seem to seek after me. But as soon as things get better, you quickly turn away from me once again.”
Throughout chapters 6-8 he accuses the people saying,
Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed, and the crimes of Samaria revealed (Hosea 6:11-7:1)…
They do not cry to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds (Hosea 7:14)…
Israel cries out to me, “O our God, we acknowledge you!” But Israel has rejected what is good…they set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval.
With their silver and gold, they make idols for themselves (Hosea 8:2-4)…
Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, they become altars for sinning…
They offer sacrifices given to me and they eat the meat, but the Lord is not pleased with them.
Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins (Hosea 8:11-13).
So many times, we think we can impress God with our words or our pious actions.
But God isn’t interested in them if we’re just living for ourselves the rest of the week.
And so God told them things like,
“I desire mercy not sacrifice, an acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (6:6)
“Throw out your calf-idol O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of impurity?” (8:5)
How about us? Are we truly seeking God every day?
Or are we merely making an elaborate (or perhaps a not so elaborate) pretense.
You cannot deceive God. He sees your heart.
So let us truly turn to him.
If we truly acknowledge him, if we truly press on to acknowledge him and return to him, then he will indeed heal us, bind up our wounds, revive us, and restore us.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 