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Hosea 6
Sept 9, 2008 20:17:19 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Sept 9, 2008 20:17:19 GMT -8
Post your comments/ questions/ discussion starters on Hosea chapter 6 as replies to this post.
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Hosea 6
Sept 9, 2008 20:25:16 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Sept 9, 2008 20:25:16 GMT -8
5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.I think this is one of best and clearest examples of symbolic language in the prophets. Actually, what we have here is an interpretive key, pulling back the curtain a bit on how symbolic prophecies can be literally fulfilled. 6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.Of course, one of the most powerful declarations of the OT. Here we have (along with a couple similar passages in the OT) another phase in the development of the unveling of Christ. The physical sacrifices are shown to be but shadows of the real things to come. Lastly, I'd like to know who was responsible for the collosal mistake in the transition from verse 6:11b to 7:1 ;D Someone getting a bit sleepy or what? I'll give 5 extra Sept. contest points to anyone who finds out what the true story on that is
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aimee
Advanced Member
Posts: 136
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Hosea 6
Sept 11, 2008 13:08:09 GMT -8
Post by aimee on Sept 11, 2008 13:08:09 GMT -8
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." So the other day I asked someone their opinion on the Old and New Testaments and how well/not well they tie together as far as God's character is concerned. The verse above seems to tie in well with the New Testament. It points out that the wish of God is that we commune with him, not go through meaningless rituals. It occured to me that the law was created so that we knew how to remain pure and purify ourselves so we could have close relationship with God, as we can now through Jesus' fulfillment of that law. When He talks about mercy, do you think He is talking about having mercy on others who have offended us? Kind of like the New Testament thing of clearing things up with your brother before you take communion. Or is it perhaps his mercy for us He speaks of since He connects it with sacrifices (I assume relating to sin offering?) Is He saying He prefers to extend mercy to a repentant heart rather than because they offered a sacrifice? However, the part that really hit me today while reading through Hosea ch6 was this verse: "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." My first impression is that this is often how he shows himself to me when I'm in need. And on a more literal note: What an incredible kind of love..... promising comfort and renewal in the midst of a kind of betrayal that in this book he compares to repeated affairs in a marriage relationship. The betrayal does not go unnoticed or unpenalized, but that there is the offer of an open relationship once Isreal and Judah wholeheartedly ask forgivenes and return. It is really neat that this same potent and enduring love is what people are offered from Him. Anyway, sorry this is a bit haphazard. I am really looking forward to Hosea 11:1-11 (my fav. from reading through it this year)
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Hosea 6
Sept 11, 2008 15:39:35 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Sept 11, 2008 15:39:35 GMT -8
Great stuff, Aimee. We're glad to have you along. Yeah, I think it's surprising how often in the OT one can find "new testament ideas*" popping up. I was wondering about which way to take the "I desire mercy" part as well. I kind of ended up liking the ability to take it both ways *I put it parenthesis because I'm wary of the dichotomy, but in general terms there are some different things in focus between the Old and New Testaments.
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Hosea 6
Sept 14, 2008 20:58:00 GMT -8
Post by michelle on Sept 14, 2008 20:58:00 GMT -8
Lastly, I'd like to know who was responsible for the collosal mistake in the transition from verse 6:11b to 7:1 ;D Someone getting a bit sleepy or what? I'll give 5 extra Sept. contest points to anyone who finds out what the true story on that is Aaron ben Moses ben Asher is my guess. And by the way, it's not like that in all the versions. I guess just your beloved NIV.
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