Hosea 6-7
We are sailing through choppy water in the Exile Stream. We are using the International Standard Version this week.
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Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis
Dear Lord God: we live in times like this. We ask for your wisdom as our culture is going headlong into wrong doing and ignoring you. We want to hear from you Lord so we may understand the times, understand your mind and respond accordingly. Amen.
The opening of this passage has a hint of Christ in there that certainly people perceived a variety of ways since it was spoken 700+ plus years before Christ arrived. Hosea does give a pleading invitation to the people of Israel. I guess it warrants a comment at this point: it must be making Hosea crazy somewhere along the line to be among these people; so wretched, and yet God is so patient in waiting – giving chances for them to return to Him and they simply keep “daring God” if we can use the phrase. It’s as if they were as twisted as possible….like the rascal kid in school that is practically begging to be punished. Israel has willfully lost her mind and soul at this point in her history. Yes, they were bringing their sacrifices to the Lord, but plenty of the earnings were via prostitution! Disgusting scenario. Gilead and Shechem are mentioned by name. These two cities made Las Vegas look tame and proper by comparison.
7 – Israel is embroiled in wrong doing and is guilty and dark as ever. Adultery is as normal as a trip to the market. The “oven” motif is interesting. It is a mis-managed oven – that is for certain. Four of Israel’s kings are assassinated after very short reigns. Life is that cheap in Israel because love is that cheap and God a thing to mock for these people. Interesting illustration of a half baked cake. One translation articulates Israel to be a pancake that is raw goo on one side and burnt on the other; something that no one will eat/want/enjoy anymore. The gray hair comment is meaning that Israel is getting old and time is running out. They are a senseless nation, due for a whipping and correction, they are runaways headed for ruin, they talk senselessly and murder awaits them. It’s not a pretty sight!