Hosea 6

Hosea 6:1

G. An Appeal to Israel to Repent (6:1-3)Verses 1-3 are Israel’s response to God’s call to repentance (Hos_5:15). At first it seems genuine and heartfelt, but upon closer examination, we see that no sin is specifically confessed. The repentance is shallow and insincere. This is apparent from God’s continued remonstrance with the nation in the rest of the chapter. True repentance does not come until the last chapter. There the nation repudiates its idolatry and acknowledges its need of God’s grace. Verse 2 may contain an allusion to the resurrection of Christ, which took place after two days and on the third day. If so, the national restoration of Israel is founded on and foreshadowed by the resurrection of Christ. Or the reference may be to the last three “days” of the Tribulation Period. Israel’s repentance and mourning extend over the first two days. Then the nation is reborn on the third day and the Messiah appears.

Hosea 6:4

H. The Sinfulness of Both Israel and Judah (6:4-11)6:4-6 Because Israel and Judah have been faithless, God has condemned them by the prophets; He wanted love more than sacrifice, and knowledge of Himself more than burnt offerings. 6:7-11 “But they, like Adam (RV), had transgressed the covenant.” The wickedness of Israel is pictured in verses 7-10 as a city of evildoers, bands of robbers, and a murdering company of priests. Judah, too, is appointed to a harvest of suffering (v. 11) before God restores the fortunes of His people. (Some think the harvest here is one of blessing, not judgment.)