There are two ways to interpret the first three verses of Hosea 6. Let’s first read these verses, and then discuss both viewpoints.
“Come, let us return to the Lord,
for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck down, and he will bind us up.
“After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
“Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6.1-3)
One interpretation of these verses suggests they refer to a future period when, after experiencing judgment, the people turn back to God. Although God has previously “torn” and “struck down” the people, He now intends to revive them.
The second interpretation views these words as spoken by followers of God who attempt to manipulate Him.
They approach Him not with a genuine desire to follow, but as individuals who believe they have mastered understanding God. They treat Him like a vending machine, expecting that if they fulfill their obligations, God will grant their desires.
I find something to like in both interpretations. The latter one highlights a common issue where we approach God without full devotion, a scenario all too prevalent in our lives.
The first interpretation, on the other hand, showcases God’s promise of redemption and grace for those who have sinned.
Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones speaks to God’s grace for repentant humans.
In a completely hopeless situation, God asked the prophet, “Mortal, can these bones live?”
Ezekiel answered that only God could make something good out of a valley filled with dry bones. He said, “O Lord God, you know” (Ezekiel 27.3).
A dry, barren wilderness symbolizes hopelessness, and this image intensifies when you include bones that have dried out. In such a desolate and hopeless world, what is possible for God to accomplish?
Considering current world events, it’s easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness and despair. However, God’s depiction of the future, represented by His plans for the dry bones, offers us hope.
The image of the hopeless dry bones, first directed at Israel, can also be applied to people worldwide in our era. Let’s hear God’s word of hope for us today.
“I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord” (Ezekiel 37.14).
Regardless of what we witness in world events, God is active in human history, guiding our world toward a specific goal. This goal involves His Spirit dwelling within us, bringing us to life in the fullness of what He has planned for His beloved.
A Message to the Double-Minded
James wrote about the double-minded: For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1.8).
A double-minded person may initially trust in God as their Plan A. However, if God doesn’t fulfill their desires, they resort to a Plan B, turning to what they believe best serves their self-interest.
Double-minded individuals might declare their devotion to God, as seen in the first three verses of this chapter. However, God has a different opinion of their devotion.
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 away early.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6.4 and 6)
I don’t know about you, but I am guilty of initially professing my love and devotion to God.
However, my commitment often fades quickly, much like the morning dew that disappears early or a cloud that arrives and then swiftly departs.
In the Old Testament, ‘steadfast love’ is a crucial term, signifying our commitment to uphold our part of the covenant with God. For the Hebrews addressed by Hosea, this meant adhering to the Ten Commandments.
For Christians, it entails obeying Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and adopting His attitudes.
The “knowledge of God” involves more than just being aware of Him; it’s about cultivating a love relationship with Him. When we intimately know God, we humbly listen to Him, love Him, and follow to His guidance.
God didn’t just assert that they had failed to maintain steadfast love or live in the knowledge of God. In the following verses, He detailed their behavior.
— Verse 7, He described how their covenant with Him was like “Adam,” the Hebrew word for “dirt.” They were walking all over their agreement with Him.
— Verses 8 and 9 depict them as individuals who shed blood and committed crimes.
— Verse 10 illustrates how they mixed their worship of God with that of foreign gods, embodying a spirit of betrayal.
Our Response
The two interpretations of the first three verses of Hosea 6 provide two responses that we can make to world events.
The first interpretation reminds us that God is actively guiding the world towards His purposes for His beloved creation. This is a message of hope that should not escape our notice.
The second interpretation encourages us to live in the knowledge of God and to demonstrate steadfast love by aligning our actions and attitudes with His.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 