ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2022
TEXT: HOSEA 6:1-6
MEMORY VERSE: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6: 1-6 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Hosea’s ministry was to the Northern kingdom of Israel. He was the first prophet to address them, prophesying God’s judgment upon the kingdom for its apostasy to idol worship – they were like harlots. But the people did not understand the depth of their sins. They were ‘off and on’ sin. They thought the wrath of God would last only a few days. Another sin was that they were interested in God only for the material benefits that come from worshipping Him. Again, many of them found it easy and comfortable to maintain the appearance of being loyal to God. But it was not deep and sincere. Like a mist, the loyalty evaporated easily and had no substance. God had shown His faithfulness to Israel many times. They knew that if they genuinely repent, He will “marry” (accept) them again the same way Hosea took back Gomer his wife, who was unfaithful, leaving her home and giving herself over to prostitution.
What did they think was the solution? Religious rituals – in this case, sacrifices of burnt offerings. But God made it clear that what He needed was they knowing Him – His likes and dislikes. (Hosea 6:6). Prophet Samuel told King Saul that God had no delight in his burnt offerings and sacrifices, but in his obedience to Him (1Samuel 15:22). He also hates idolatry (v 23];[1Kings 9:6-9]
Many of us are like the Israelites. We believe in religious rituals than genuine repentance. Rituals cannot help us understand God and how He works. If we don’t know God, then, rituals (e.g. the Lord’s Super) become empty mockery. They are no ends in themselves but genuine repentance is needed in us.
- Do you have things you pledge allegiance to and finding it hard to renounce?
- Ask God to expose your ignorant insincerity that is holding you back to you.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 20:3-6; 1 Samuel 15; 1 Kings 9:1-9
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ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2022
