Hosea, An Invitation to Know

Do you Know Adonai?

Hosea 6:6 has been rattling around in my spirit recently.  When I look at Hosea 6, particularly at verses 1-6, what jumps out at me is the call to know the Lord.  I see an invitation to know God and the ways of God.  Looking at certain Hebrew words in the passage helps give us understanding (English translations are from the NASB).  While Hosea has been called to bring a difficult message to Israel (e.g. they haven’t pursued knowing Adonai), there is also hope in the message.

Hsa 6:1 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

(The translation of ‘torn’ and ‘wounded’ causes us to stumble.  God does this?  A point of view which may be helpful is that that sometimes a parent has to allow natural consequences be the appropriate way to train wayward children.  Focusing on the encouragement in the verse reveals something better.  Whenever anyone turns to the LORD, they can find hope and healing)

(The word LORD, which is represented by ‘yhvh’ in Hebrew, is a relationship term for God.  God wants a growing relationship with you)

Hsa 6:2 He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.

(It is translated ‘And we shall be whole by His favor’ in the JPS Tanakh.  That which is translated ‘before Him’ is the Hebrew word ‘paniym‘ meaning face, in front of, with favor, and being in God’s presence)

(I find the metaphor for the favor to be found in Yeshua (Jesus) to be striking.  Resurrection life has now become possible.  A way has been made for us to have favor with God and live continually in His presence).

Hsa 6:3 So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

(The Hebrew for the phrase ‘to know’ is the word ‘yada‘ meaning to know or to come to know, a relational word as one comes to know their spouse relationally and sexually – Gen 4:1.  This is only possible in a place of trust and open communication).

Hsa 6:4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud And like the dew which goes away early.

(The word translated as ‘loyalty’ is the Hebrew word ‘checed‘, which is best represented as a three-fold cord of love, kindness, and steadfastness.  In our humanity and brokenness, our ability to love like this quickly fades)

Hsa 6:5 Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth.

(The word translated as ‘hewn’ is the Hebrew word ‘chatsab‘, which is used in the context of a stonecutter or quarry – Isaiah 51:1)

(The word translated as ‘judgments’ is the Hebrew word ‘mishpat‘, used in the context of deciding on a case)

(The word translated as ‘light’ is the Hebrew word ‘owr‘, a metaphor for truth and righteousness.  When stones are cut, whatever is hidden is revealed, whether flaws or beauty)

Hsa 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

(The word translated as ‘loyalty’ is the Hebrew word ‘checed‘, which is best represented as a three-fold cord of love, kindness, and steadfastness)

(The word translated as ‘knowledge’ is the Hebrew word ‘da ath‘ , which represents discernment, understanding, and wisdom and comes from the root ‘yada’ as described above)

(The word translated as ‘God’ is the Hebrew word ‘Elohiym‘, which can be represented by the word ‘rulers’.  The same word as used as the ‘God’ who creates.  It is a plural word.  There is an invitation to come to know the ways of God and how light goes forth)

When we come to know God and the life that we find in the son Yeshua, we can understand that Yeshua was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.  God delights when we demonstrate love (‘checed’) for one another.

Do you know Me?