Hosea 6:7-11
Summary for Hos 6:7-11: 6:7-11 a Hosea traces the way that human rebellion against God began with Adam and spread through the cities of Israel to the land of Judah.6:9 b Priests form bands of robbers: Hosea again condemns the religious leaders for their crimes (see 4:4-8 c).
6:10 d something horrible: The prophet uses this rare word (also in Jer 18:13 e) to describe the depth of Israel’s sin in breaking God’s covenant and betraying his trust.
Thematic note: Knowing God
From our perspective, knowledge tends to mean information, facts, and concepts. But in biblical times, knowledge was centered in personal relationships. To know someone is to enter into a close relationship with that person. Knowing God involves much more than simply mastering facts and information about him. It even transcends discussions about the nature and character of God, as important as those are. Knowing God means entering into a close relationship with him. It means viewing everything as God does and learning to imitate him. Knowing God will transform our thoughts and actions, our priorities and values, and our relationships with fellow human beings. It is far more important than religious rites, sacrifices and burnt offerings, or any other religious activities (see Jer 9:23-24 f; 31:34 g).
The prophet Hosea strongly emphasizes the importance of knowing God. He demonstrates that Israel would ultimately be destroyed (Hos 4:6 h) because they did not know God (4:1 i). This theme of knowing God is also prevalent in the New Testament Gospel of John. Jesus repeatedly stresses the need to know God, affirming that people can be heavily involved in religious practice but have no genuine relationship with God (see John 7:25-29 j; 8:14-19 k, 54-55 l; 14:6-11 m; 17:1-3 n).
Passages for Further Study
Exod 33:8 o, 11 p; Num 12:6-8 q; Isa 11:9 r; 43:10 s; Jer 9:24 t; 31:33-34 u; Hos 6:3 v, 6 w; John 17:3 x; Phil 3:10 y; Titus 1:16 z; Heb 8:10-13 aa; 1 Jn 2:4 ab; 4:6 ac, 8 ad; 3 Jn 1:11 ae
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