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Israel Unrepentant (Hos. 6:1-7:16)
The Lord pleads with the Israelites to return to the Lord. God wants them to count on his forgiving nature and his
grace. See the words used to describe the forgiving nature of God.
- He will heal us (v.1).
- He will bind up our wounds (v.1).
- He will revive us (v.2).
- He will restore us (v.2).
- He will let us live in His presence (v.2).
But Israel seems to be unrepentant. God says “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”. This Scripture was quoted by Jesus to
the Pharisees. Their religion was not impressive to God. God desires for us to be loving rather than our religious
commitments!
Israel’s unrepentance leads to judgment(v.11). God remembers their evil deeds (7:2). Sometimes we think God is
lenient and think God forgets. The Scriptures show that God doesn’t let sin go undealt or unpunished.
One of sin’s tragedy is that it causes us to think that it can be hidden. It cannot. Nothing in all creation is hidden
from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. The
only escape from judgement for sin is repentance and turning to God through the Jesus Christ.
God compares Israel to a flat-cake not turned over!(7:8). This means Israel is half-baked or in other words not
mature.
God also compares Israel to a dove, that is easily deceived and senseless. It just shows how easily they are led astray
or quick to sin. God longs to redeem them. (v.13).
Are we quick to be led astray? Can we be easily deceived? Where do we run to when we are in need of help? Come,
let us return to the Lord, He will heal us!
Application :
Are there any areas in your life in which you are struggling to change? What steps are going to take
to change from those?
I John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
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