Hosea 6:9-11

Returning the covenant of God's people Hosea 6:9-11: Both Israel and Judah had become very corrupt. Instead of helping the hurting they had become a “troop of robbers” waiting to harm some individual. The priest had become a company of murderers. God had said to the priest, “Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours is the judgment, Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor.” (Hosea 5:1) Their evil society had been described in the said words, “Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.” (Hosea 4:2)

Jeremiah gave a similar picture to that painted by Hosea. He wrote, “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, 'We are delivered to do all these abominations'?” (Jeremiah 7:9-10) God observed the horrible idolatry of both Israel and Judah. He said, “I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled. Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people.” (Hosea 6:10-11) Sadly He used a severe period of captivity to bring Judah to her knees. The great need was for a return to God's covenant by His covenant people. Israel would be destroyed because of her sinfulness. Judah would be preserved so that the Christ, man's hope for redemption could be born.