Hos 14:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Hos 14:2-3: 14:2-3 Hosea composed a model prayer of confession to help his people return to the Lord. God’s prophets not only identified with God in his outrage over Israel’s rebellion; they also identified with the people in their broken condition (see also Dan 9:4-19 ). • Forgive all our sins: The Israelites should throw themselves upon God’s mercy and grace, freely acknowledging their many sins. • so that we may offer you our praises: Israel’s inclination was to offer animal sacrifices for sin, but the Lord had made it clear that sacrifices were not the solution (see Hos 6:6 ). Israel should offer God genuine repentance.

a14:2-3►

bDan 9:4-19►

cHos 6:6►

‏ Hosea 14:2-3

Summary for Hos 14:2-3: 14:2-3 ^a Hosea composed a model prayer of confession to help his people return to the Lord. God’s prophets not only identified with God in his outrage over Israel’s rebellion; they also identified with the people in their broken condition (see also Dan 9:4-19 ^b).

• Forgive all our sins: The Israelites should throw themselves upon God’s mercy and grace, freely acknowledging their many sins.

• so that we may offer you our praises: Israel’s inclination was to offer animal sacrifices for sin, but the Lord had made it clear that sacrifices were not the solution (see Hos 6:6 ^c). Israel should offer God genuine repentance.
14:3 ^d The Israelites must renounce their dependence upon idols, foreign alliances, and their own military strength. Although they were God’s own children (11:1 ^e), they made themselves orphans through their rebellion. When they sincerely and completely repented, they could again find mercy.