Hosea 5:1-6:6
Chapter 5 begins with God's pronouncement to the leaders and the royalty of Israel. Mizpah and Tabor were places of false worship in Israel that had been established and encouraged by the leaders who were to keep the people from wandering from their God. They have become depraved (vs.2 NASB).
All of God's people have stumbled, even those in Judah to the south, where David's family continued to reign. God will withdraw His protection from them and their enemies will wreak havoc. Verse 13 indicates that both kingdoms, in the midst of danger, will still not turn to God, but will try to align themselves with other nations for protection. As chapter 5 ends it is clear that the nations will have to suffer complete devastation before they will come to their senses and turn to God for rescue.
Chapter 6 begins with the words that Israel will come to believe and to profess—this may be the prophet speaking to them (vs.1-3).
In verse 6, and throughout the prophets, we are often reminded that God does not seek specific liturgical styles or traditions as our primary worship. When we attend worship, but let our minds wander to the events of later in the day, we miss the point of worship. God says that, "I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." While He approves our worship practices, if our hearts are not devoted to Him, then our worship practices are worthless. When we speak the words of worship, do we hear and understand their meaning? Do we understand that we belong to God, and He is to be first in our hearts?
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