In the book of Hosea, Hosea asked, “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto you? O Judah, what shall I do unto you? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and your judgments are as the light that goes forth”, and in chapter six and verse six of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “I have desired mercy, and not sacrifice” where we read,
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
The verse begins, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice;” Hosea began with the words, “for I desired mercy” or “because, since and on account that I, Jehovah God, delighted in, took pleasure with and favor goodness, kindness and faithfulness”, “and not sacrifice” which means “and in no way or manner the covenant offerings and slaughters of passover and thanksgiving”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God said He took pleasure in goodness and kindness and not in any way covenant offerings and slaughters.
The verse goes on to say, “and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea continued with the words, “and the knowledge of God” or “and the perception, skill, discernment, understanding and wisdom belonging to the Supreme Deity and True God” “more than burnt offerings” which means “to a greater degree compared to whole burning ascents and sacrifices”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God also favored discernment and wisdom pertaining to Him to a greater degree than whole burning sacrifices.
When we mediate upon Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God takes greater delight in kindness and faithfulness than covenant offerings, and He favors the discernment of Him to a greater degree than whole burnt sacrifices. God wants us to be like Him, and knowing He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for our sins, we have the opportunity to be faithful, kind and knowledgeable of Him which exceeds all other offerings and sacrifices that we may attempt to give Him.
Next time Hosea says, “they like men have transgressed the covenant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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