Phony Repentance: Hosea 6 - 7 (Week 9 - Post 1)

The third section of Hosea begins with Hosea 6:4 and closes at the end of chapter 10.  In this section, God reveals to Israel the result of her sin which has been so thoroughly described.  This section reveals the cost of rebellion - the cost of idolatry and ignoring Jehovah God - the cost of breaking covenant.  The time is ripe, the judgment is here.  We will study it in 3 posts.  Today, read Hosea 6:1 - 7:16.  As you read chapter 7, look for the metaphors.

What appears at first to be repentance (6:1 - 3) proves to be less than actual repentance.  It is phony ... surface ... almost cavalier!  The people say, "Let us acknowledge God" but there is no mention of their sin.  There is no evidence of hearts broken over their rebellion and idolatry.  They have no interest in obeying God, but they would like to have prosperity!  They don't even mind going through some ritualistic religious exercise.  They would be religious ... and continue to live the way they want. 

What about America and her Christianity?  In his commentary on Hosea, James Montgomery Boice reports an interview between a reporter and a prominent evangelical pastor.  The interviewer asks:  "If evangelicals really are as numerous as the polls indicate, why is it that there seems to be so little impact upon the country?  Crime continues to increase.  Divorce statistics climb.  It is the same in all other areas so far as we are able to judge.  Is it that there are really not as many evangelicals as you claim, or is it the case that being 'born again' actually makes no difference in how a person lives?"  Oh my!!  Could we be in the same place with the same attitudes and minds as the inhabitants of Israel at Hosea's time?  Yes, we give lip service to acknowledging God and going through religious exercise, but so often our hearts are far from repentant over sin ... far from obeying God ... far from the heart of God.  I think that we need to "hear" the message of Hosea as much as those early Israelites needed to "hear"!  Are we listening? 

Did you find the metaphors that are used in chapter 7?  God uses vivid pictures to describe the way He sees people who play at repentance ... who continue to confess the name of God all the while continuing in their self-focused, idolatrous living.  The picture is vivid ...

          1.  the "oven" whose fire does not need stirring ... even in secular writings this image is one of sexual lust and passion.  In this context, no doubt the spiritual adultery rampant in Israel.
          2.  a half-baked cake ... a flat cake not turned over ... I can see a pancake that I forgot to turn until it is too late!  As long as I keep the burned side 'down' on the plate, it looks fine.  But one bite and you know it is not fine - it is ruined. 
          3.  a dove ... in this context the image is one of a helpless bird that is easily deceived.
          4.  a faulty bow ... a weapon that is designed to do one thing but is misshapen and cannot accomplish what is was originally designed to do. 

Any antidote for this calamity?  YES!  Israel was past the point of return ... but whatever remnant that was left in her was not.  What about you?  What about me?  What about our country? 

Genuine repentance is the turning point.  It can't be phony.  It can't be outward form only.  It requires a heart ache that sends us falling on our faces before our God.  The apostle John addresses the same question ...

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.     1 John 1: 8 - 9

The secret of restoration?  Heart level confession of sin, genuine repentance and an appeal to God on the basis of His abundant grace.  And the God of mercy and grace WILL heal our wounds.