Today's first reading is a lengthy accusation of the cost of Israel's faithlessness and idolatry. The sin of turning away from God has led to other sins: lying, killing, stealing, and other actions that are tearing God's people apart. Worse, when they try to turn to God, they do so in completely wrong ways (beyond simple idolatry, there is the implication that so-called religious acts are excuses for excessive drinking, sexual orgies, and human sacrifice).
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The second reading offers words of repentance, followed by an assessment that the people are incapable of actually repenting. Despite expressing a desire to be forgiven by God an in a faithful relationship with God, they seem unable to live faithfully. In this chapter, an emotional theme from later in the book begins to take shape -- God still loves these people, even though they have consistently "done him wrong." And God is torn between a desire to forgive and a need to have them be faithful in the relationship.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Hosea 4-6 today.
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Hosea 4-6 today.
