(a6).Words of Repentant Isreal.
Ch.6:1-3.
Verses 1-3.
It would seem that these words in the first three verses of this chapter indicate the prayer that Israel needed to pray.They were words of repentance and a pray for renewal. Maybe in the millenial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ these words be really prayed in earnest by Israel.The desire for forgiveness will one day be on the lips of the Israelities, they will according to this record acknowledge Yahweh as their Saviour and Lord.These words are only an interlude in Hosea's condemnation of the sin of Judah and Israel.
(a7) Continued Indictment of the people.Ch.6:4-11.
Hosea returns again to the all important theme that reflects Israel's and Judah's sin. In this context Ephraim means Isreal and not just one single tribe.
Verse.4-5.
Hosea challenges the depth of Isreal's and Judah's "hesed" love for God, he uses the word "hesed" which indicates continuing and faithful love. Of course Hosea already knew that
the love of Judah and Isreal had fallen short of the ideal. As a result of this God had to send His prophets to warn the nation of its fast slipping devotion and faithfulness to Yahweh.We also have a prediction of doom and death for those who fall away from what is God's way.
Verse 6.
Hosea sounded a note in this verse which was to be sounded by Isaiah (1:11-17), Amos (5:21-24), Micah (6:6-8) & Mathew (9:13,12:7). "I desire mercy and not sacrifice,and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings."
Verse 7.
Hosea reveals the sin of the Isrealities, firstly they had deliberately and knowingly broken God's covenant to them,the false cultic worship with all the idols certainly proved this.
Verse 8.
Here again Hosea lists the sins of the people, Gilead (Gen 31:47-48, Judges 10:17) lists this city as the city of "evil men." Gilead may also have been a region of the northern
transjordan.
Verse 9.
In this verse Hosea turns to the sins of the priests, they were robbers and people who waited in the night to prey on the innocent. Shechem was a town on the road to the religious center of Bethel from samaria. Probably these priests were the ones from "all sorts of people". (1 kings 12:31).They were the priests who opposed the laws of moses and who were choosen by King Jeroboam.
They had become robbers and murderers.The word translated (zimmah means "shameful crimes" which carry sexual connotations, (Lev.18;17,19:29) but here it may have a more general meaning. (proverbs 10:23,21:27).
Verse 10-11.
Hosea moves back again to remind Judah that her day of Judgement is coming and so"a harvest is appointed".This simply implies the coming day of judgement.