Hosea 6
Israel's superficial repentance: Come, let us return to the Lord — but their love is like morning mist that quickly vanishes. God declares: I desire mercy, not sacrifice — a verse Jesus quotes twice. True knowledge of God matters more than religious ritual.
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
I desire mercy not sacrifice — Jesus quotes Hosea to Pharisees
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Read Matthew 9 ›I desire mercy not sacrifice — Jesus on Sabbath controversy
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Read Matthew 12 ›But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.
Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood.
Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.
In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.
Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity.
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