(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 6:1-11)

With their mouths, and perhaps even with their hearts, Israel commits themselves to returning to the Lord. They say, “Come, let us return to the Lord.”

Yes, they got it!? They know that they have done wrong, and are sorry for their unfaithfulness. They realize that it is the Lord that will heal them, bandage them up from their wounds, and that He will revive and raise them up so that they may live before Him. At least this is what they hope will happen.

Israel knows that they have gone astray, that the same Lord that has torn and wounded them as judgment for their unfaithfulness will heal them, for the Lord is their healer. At least this is what they hope will happen.

Let us say sorry, just as Israel committed to saying sorry to the Lord. As we read Scripture, as God’s Word is in us, and the Holy Spirit illuminates our hearts, let us also proclaim to the Lord, “Come, let us return to the Lord.”

Yes, we’ve got it too!? Just as Israel realized that their path had strayed and were willing to come back to the heart and will of the Lord, so we too do the same.

However…**Long Pause**

How does the Lord respond to Israel’s words?

4 What shall I do with you,
O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
For your loyalty is like a morning cloud
And like the dew which goes away early.

The question wasn’t just whether Israel would say sorry to the Lord, but rather if they would continue and unceasingly be loyal to Him? Their loyalty was like a morning cloud, that quickly goes away, and like the morning dew that quickly dries up.

The Lord continues,

6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

The Lord desired that Israel returned to Him, and walked in faithful covenant with Him. Yes, they knew they were to say sorry, but so quickly they would sin again, and this was an endless cycle.

Brother and sisters, we too are convicted oh so often by God’s words. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, and we know that we must confess our sins and repent for our unfaithfulness. However, before the words have finished coming out our mouths, have our steps already walked against God’s path of righteousness yet again?

Slowly and painstakingly we repent, but so quickly we fall back into the ways of the world. Repentance is more than just saying sorry, and perhaps this was Israel’s problem and at times our problem as well. We are so quick to say sorry to God, but true repentance is to change our ways, rather than just continue in the endless cycles of regret and saying sorry.

The Lord desires loyalty rather than just “sorry,” and so may we turn from our ways, walk back on the path of the cross, and continue to learn what this means.

Rather than just saying, “Come, let us return to the Lord,” may we walk with Him as He walks with us, and make a march towards the cross, being carried forward by the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, to our God.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Hosea 6