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Hosea 3:2 says, “So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about one-and-a-half homer of barley.” The northern kingdom of Israel was captivated by idol worship and bowed down to Baal; they were unfaithful to God, but God redeemed and saved them. Fifteen shekels of silver was actually only half the price of one slave. That is how unworthy the people of Israel were when God redeemed them. But in his love, God wanted to keep them close to himself. We, too, are a people redeemed by God. We were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” The purpose of our lives as believers is to know God’s salvation, to experience the grace of salvation, and to give glory to God. The price for us was the life of Christ, who offered it on the Cross. God has prepared a new way for us to live a new life. So, we should aim to live in a way that gives glory back to God.
Today we will read Hosea chapter 6. Our theme is returning to the Lord. Failure makes our lives feel empty and meaningless. But returning to the Lord can lead us to a life of producing abundant fruit. That’s something we want to learn. First, let’s read chapter 6, verses 1 to 3: ” Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Today, we will focus on this passage. It depicts God’s beautiful invitation. Now, let’s read it again, but this time focus on the words in this passage that are verbs.
Return to the Lord. The Lord binds our wounds. He revives and lifts us up. We will live before Him. Acknowledge the Lord. Press on to acknowledge Him. He will surely appear and come to us, like rains that water the earth. How affirming, how rich, how full of love these expressions are—I am moved as I read them. Our God is the One who heals and binds our wounds. He is the One who enables our lives to bear abundant fruit. These ideas are expressed so vividly in this passage. The passage teaches us about God’s unconditional love. And it is with this love that God invites us.
Before this invitation from God in chapter 6, the condition of northern Israel is described in a striking way in chapters 4 and 5. Let us look at a few of these descriptions.
In chapter 4: the second half of 4:1 says, “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.” Verse 2: “There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” The people of northern Israel had fallen into such depravity that they turned away from the true God, worshipped the idol of a calf, and bowed down to Baal. As a result, the nation was engulfed by chaos. What was the main cause of this chaos? The priests could no longer teach the will of God. Verse 4 mentions, “But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.” Verse 5: “You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother—my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” The nation began to choose priests from among the general population instead of the Levites, and so they were no longer taught the laws of God (See 1 Kings 12:31). And that is a major reason for the chaos in Israel’s society. Priests no longer believed the laws of God, and Baal-worshipping prophets corrupted the people. Hosea points to this first as the reason. The priests did not serve God but rather lived for their own gain and for money (verse 8).
Verse 6 says, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” And so the people were plunged into chaos. Earlier, we read that verse 5 says, “I will destroy your mother.” “Mother” refers to the nation of Israel. Both the people and their nation were heading toward destruction. This was actually a prophecy that northern Israel would be destroyed by Assyria and its people taken into captivity. Verse 9 says, “And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.” Northern Israel would be destroyed by Assyria and taken away as captives—that was God’s punishment. This was a prophecy of their destruction—and what a tragedy it was.
Verse 11 says, “old wine and new wine take away their understanding.” This refers to the wine they drank during idol worship. The wine dulled their thoughts. Next, verse 12 says, “My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner’s rod speaks to them.” In the Japanese translation it says “wood” and “branches,” and these represent idol worship. It is an image of the people and priests whose lives are controlled by these idols. It shows priests unable to teach God’s law and a people who seek to live by relying on idols. The last part of verse 14 says, “A people without understanding will come to ruin!” Both the people and the priests have strayed from God’s teachings and are bowing down to idols.
In the midst of this, verse 15 warns Israel not to lead Judah into sin: “Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’” Gilgal and Beth Aven were towns in Israel close to the border between northern Israel and southern Judah. The people of Judah were barely holding on to their faith in God. Therefore, he commands them not to go near these cities and lead the people of Judah astray. God gave this warning out of his love for the people of Judah.
Moving on to the next chapter, Chapter 5 shows Israel’s refusal to return to God. 5:4 says, “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.” And verse 6 says, “When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.” Then, verse 13 says, “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores.” Northern Israel will seek peace with Assyria, only to face the tragic reality that Assyria will destroy them instead. The end of verse 14 says that there is no one to rescue them. Northern Israel wants to make peace with Assyria, but instead they will be abandoned by God, orphaned, taken into captivity—Hosea prophesies this harsh judgment.
Verse 15 says, “Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face—in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” God says that he will return to his heavenly dwelling place. Having lost God’s presence and being captives in Assyria, the people of Israel will search for their identity once again. God will withdraw from them only for a time, and because of suffering the people of Israel will seek God once more.
It is with this background that we come to Chapter 6. Let us read the beginning of chapter 6 again: “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” Just as Jesus Christ bore the sins of humanity when he was crucified, buried, and restored to life on the third day, so will restoration come to Israel. Continuing in verse 3: “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Even though the people of Israel strayed from God’s grace, a time of restoration will surely come. The time will surely come when they turn their eyes to God and receive his blessings. Both the winter rains and the spring rains are needed to bring forth a bountiful harvest.
I was born in Japan, led to a church during high school, and later had the opportunity to study in America, where I was truly grateful to have been exposed to Christian ways and come to the Christian faith. In the past, Japan deified the Emperor and waged war against other Asian nations, bringing great suffering to Asia. Every August, we observe the anniversary of the end of the war. This is a time for each of us to reflect on the tragic history of the past. I believe all Japanese people must humbly reflect on history and acknowledge that we were proud and oppressed others. Sadly, it seems that these days, more Japanese people are lacking this spirit of reflection. As Christians, we can confront our history, repent of our personal sins and the past sins committed by our ancestors, receive God’s forgiveness, and walk a new path in life.
Even world leaders make mistakes at times. Even now, tragic events are happening in many parts of the world. Yet those leaders too can choose to acknowledge their sins, repent, and make a fresh start. For God loves each one of us with unconditional love. He calls us to return to Him. We pray that each one of us, by God’s grace, may be healed, enveloped in His love, rise up, and become those who partake of God’s blessings. Let us pray also for the world’s leaders. As believers, each one of us, whoever we may be, can return to the Lord and take part in a bountiful harvest
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