Oséias 6
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Oséias 6
Vernon McGee points out the "now and not yet" aspects of this section of Hosea's prophecy - This is God’s last call to the northern kingdom in that day (ED: THE "NOW" OF HOSEA'S DAY), but it also looks to the future of that nation when God will heal them (ED: THE "NOT YET" OF THE FUTURE); although He has torn them, He intends to bind them up. This should be a warning that God will judge the sin of any nation that makes a profession of being a Christian nation and which has had the benefit of the Word of God. (ED: OF COURSE MCGEE IS POINTING HIS FINGER AT POST-CHRISTIAN, EVEN ANTI-CHRISTIAN AMERICA!) The KJV Bible Commentary - The prophet looks beyond both the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities down to the ultimate day when Israel as a nation will be converted (cf. Jer 31:31–34+) and God will set up His millennial kingdom over His people and reign for a thousand years. In response to the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, a remnant will come to this recognition; but in that day the entire nation will come to this realization.
Oséias 6
McGee writes "The people were merely going through a form. My friend, you can go to church on Sunday and be as fundamental as you can be. You may criticize the preacher, criticize the choir, criticize everybody—maybe they deserve it, I don’t know—but God’s desire is that you put His Word into shoe leather, that you allow it to get down where the rubber meets the road, and that there be an evidence of mercy in your own heart and life. Don’t think that going to a church banquet is somehow a substitute for truly eating the Bread of Life or of enjoying a big porterhouse steak from the Word of God. No church function is a substitute for really studying the Word of God." Rather than burnt offerings - Offerings are so deceptive, because we feel if we have given God a "thing," we have really given Him something. We need to be like the little girl when they passed the offering plate. When the offering plate came to this little girl at the end of a row, she took the plate, put it on the floor, and stood in it. When the usher asked her what she was doing, she responded, “In Sunday school I learned that I was supposed to give myself to God.” Point made! Are you as convicted as I am. God wants US, not our "thing" (be it money, service, etc). If He has us as His "burnt offering," it is a sweet savor in His nostrils (anthropomorphically speaking) and the offering of the "thing" will follow from a heart full of love for God! Listen to God speaking through Amos regarding Israel's offerings... I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21-24) Isaiah is even more pointed... What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. 12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? 13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies– I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. 14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. (Isa 1:11-17+) God in Jeremiah declares - “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ (Je 7:22, 23) Israel missed what God has always desired - He wants ALL of each of us... Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Ro 12:1+) NET Note - Contrary to popular misunderstanding, Hosea does not reject animal sacrifice nor cultic ritual, and advocate instead obedience only. Rather, God does not delight in ritual sacrifice without the accompanying prerequisite moral obedience (1 Sam 15:22; Pss 40:6–8; 51:16–17; Prov 21:3; Isa 1:11–17; Jer 7:21–23; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:6–8). However, if prerequisite moral obedience is present, he delights in sacrificial worship as an outward expression (Ps 51:19). Presented by a repentant obedient worshiper, whole burnt offerings were “an aroma pleasing” to the LORD (Lev 1:9, 13). Hosea 6:7 But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me. BGT Hosea 6:7 αὐτοὶ δέ εἰσιν ὡς ἄνθρωπος παραβαίνων διαθήκην ἐκεῖ κατεφρόνησέν μου NET Hosea 6:7 At Adam they broke the covenant; Oh how they were unfaithful to me! LXE Hosea 6:7 But they are as a man transgressing a covenant: NLT Hosea 6:7 But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust. KJV Hosea 6:7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. ESV Hosea 6:7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me. CSB Hosea 6:7 But they, like Adam, have violated the covenant; there they have betrayed Me. NIV Hosea 6:7 Like Adam, they have broken the covenant-- they were unfaithful to me there. NKJ Hosea 6:7 "But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me. NRS Hosea 6:7 But at Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me. YLT Hosea 6:7 And they, as Adam, transgressed a covenant, There they dealt treacherously against me. NAB Hosea 6:7 But they, in their land, violated the covenant; there they were untrue to me. NJB Hosea 6:7 But they have broken the covenant at Adam, there they have betrayed me. GWN Hosea 6:7 "Like Adam, you rejected the promise. You were unfaithful to me. BHT Hosea 6:7 wühëºmmâ Kü´ädäm `äbrû bürît šäm Bäºgdû bî BBE Hosea 6:7 But like a man, they have gone against the agreement; there they were false to me. WTT Hosea 6:7 וְהֵמָּה כְּאָדָם עָבְרוּ בְרִית שָׁם בָּגְדוּ בִי (Hos 6:7 WTT) But like Adam. Ge 3:6, 11. Jb 31:33. Ps 49:12. Ps 82:7. transgressed. Ho 8:1. 2 K 17:15. 18:12. Is 24:5. Je 31:32. Ezk 16:59-61. 20:37. He 8:9. the covenant. Ge 2:16, 17. Jsh 24:1, 25. Is 42:6. Ro 5:12, 19. 1 Co 15:22, 45, 47. Ga 3:10. 1 Th 5:9. There they have dealt treacherously against Me. Ho 5:7. Is 24:16. 48:8. Je 3:7-11, 20. 5:11. 9:6. But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant - Adam knew what God had clearly stated in Genesis 2:16-17, but he consciously, willingly (willfully - like me when I sin) made the decision to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The verb for have transgressed (05674) is "A verb meaning to pass through or over, to cover, to go beyond, to go along, to be crossed over, to make to cross over, to go through, to go away. This verb indicates the physical act of crossing or passing over and takes on a figurative usage that exhibits many variations in meaning. Two figurative meanings are of primary importance theologically; the verb means going beyond, overstepping a covenant or a command of God or man. Moses uses the word when charging the people with disobeying and overstepping the Lord's commands (Num. 14:41; Josh. 7:11, 15). (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) The implication is that God had a form of a covenant with Adam, albeit not strictly speaking a covenant like those God cut (karath) with men later in the Old Testament. Covenant speaks of oneness and there could have been no more perfect oneness between God and Adam than in the Garden before Adam sinned. Think about God walking in the cool of the Garden and how Adam and Eve must have walked with Him. But Paradise was lost when sin entered the world through Adam whose seed transmitted the "deadly virus" to all mankind. In Ro 5:12 Paul writes "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (THEY ALL COMMITTED SIN BECAUSE THEY HAD THE SIN VIRUS THE PROPENSITY NOW INDWELLING THEIR HEART)." Boice on like Adam - The point is that the rebellion of Israel is something that lies deep in human nature, having been inherited from Adam, and therefore does not surprise God. This does not excuse Israel; for it is "they" who have broken the covenant... like Adam. It is merely that they have inherited their unfaithful nature from Adam and may therefore also be said to have broken the covenant "there." (Ibid)
Oséias 6
Vernon McGee has an interesting comment - In other words, the priests in refusing to give the people the Water of Life and the Bread of Life were actually committing murder. To be honest with you, I think that a minister who stands in the pulpit and does not give out the Word of God is guilty just as it is stated right here. I did not think that up—it is the Word of God which says that. So a band of priests murder on the way to Shechem - On the way to the city of refuge. Perhaps a sarcastic twist is intended. No longer a place of refuge but of bloodshed. Leon Wood - Shechem lay on the road from the capital city, Samaria, to the religious center, Bethel. The thought is that the very priests, appointed by Jeroboam from "all sorts of people" (1 Kings 12:31), were robbing and murdering pilgrims. (Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 7: Daniel and the Minor Prophets) POSB has an interesting note - Even the cities of Gilead and Shechem had become a refuge for criminals, the lawless and violent of the nation. This was most surprising because these two cities had originally been set aside as cities of refuge, places to which people who were guilty of manslaughter could flee from those who were seeking revenge. The cities of refuge guaranteed safety and true justice for the innocent. But in Hosea’s day, these former safe havens became major centers of lawlessness, so much so that the streets were stained with blood. Note that even the priests were guilty of encouraging and forming bands of thieves and robbers who were often guilty of assault and murder. (Ibid) Surely they have committed crime - Variously rendered as the priests committing "atrocities, villany, heinous crimes, monstrous crimes." Chisholm - The references to (Ramoth) Gilead and Shechem are well chosen. Joshua had designated that both of these towns be cities of refuge, where manslayers could find asylum (Josh. 20:1-2, 7-8). In this way the land would be spared outbreaks of bloodshed, and justice would be promoted. Ironically in Hosea's day these cities had become associated with bloodshed and injustice. (Ibid) Crime (02154)(zimmah) refers to plan, purpose, counsel, wickedness, lewdness, sin. The word refers to the plans and purposes of the mind which give rise to one's actions, with usually bad or evil intentions. Chisholm adds that "Elsewhere this word (zimmâh) is used of the vilest sexual sins, including incest (Lev. 18:17), cult prostitution (Lev. 19:29), rape (Judges 20:5-6), and adultery (Job 31:9-11). This sexual connotation is probably applicable here because the priests' breach of covenant (Hosea 6:6-7) is likened to prostitution (v. 10)." And one other consideration given the Canaanite influence is that they were practicing cult prostitution! And this would be a segue into the next description of God's having "seen a horrible thing." Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's harlotry is there, Israel has defiled itself. NET Hosea 6:10 I have seen a disgusting thing in the temple of Israel: there Ephraim practices temple prostitution and Judah defiles itself. LXE Hosea 6:10 I have seen horrible things there, even the fornication of Ephraim: Israel and Juda are defiled; NLT Hosea 6:10 Yes, I have seen something horrible in Ephraim and Israel: My people are defiled by prostituting themselves with other gods! KJV Hosea 6:10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. ESV Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled. CSB Hosea 6:10 I have seen something horrible in the house of Israel: Ephraim's promiscuity is there; Israel is defiled. NIV Hosea 6:10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled. NKJ Hosea 6:10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled. NRS Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there, Israel is defiled. YLT Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing, There is the whoredom of Ephraim -- defiled is Israel. NAB Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: there harlotry is found in Ephraim, Israel is defiled. NJB Hosea 6:10 At Bethel I have seen a horrible thing; there Ephraim plays the whore, Israel is befouled. GWN Hosea 6:10 "I have seen horrible things in the nation of Israel. Ephraim is acting like a prostitute, and Israel is unclean. BHT Hosea 6:10 Bübêt yiSrä´ël rä´îºtî (ša`árîriyyâ) [ša`árû|riyyâ] šäm zünût lü´epraºyim ni†mä´ yiSrä´ël BBE Hosea 6:10 In Israel I have seen a very evil thing; there false ways are seen in Ephraim, Israel is unclean; NAS Hosea 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's harlotry is there, Israel has defiled itself. WTT Hosea 6:10 בְּבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל רָאִיתִי )שַׁעֲרִירִיָּה] (שַׁעֲרוּרִיָּה[ שָׁם זְנוּת לְאֶפְרַיִם נִטְמָא יִשְׂרָאֵל In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. Je 2:12, 13. 5:30, 31. 18:13. 23:14. Ephraim's harlotry is there. See on Ho 4:11, 17. 5:3, 4. 1 K 12:28-30. 15:30. 2 K 17:7-23. Je 3:6-11. Ezk 23:5-11. GOD SERVES AS WITNESS OF A HORRIBLE THING Pr 15:3 says "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good." In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing - The house of Israel would be a possibility and some version so render it but there was not "approved" Temple in the Northern Kingdom, only the one Temple in the Southern Kingdom in Jerusalem. And so this phrase could also refer to the Israelite nation. The Septuagint translates horrible (shaaruriyyah) with the adjective phrikodes which means that which causes shuddering, utter horror, used only here in Hos 6:10 in all the Bible. The Hebrew word shaaruriyyah is used one other time in the OT Jer 18:13 “Therefore thus says the LORD, ‘Ask now among the nations, Who ever heard the like of this? The virgin of Israel Has done a most appalling thing. (Lxx = phriktos = horrible, that which causes shock). The Hebrew and Greek words used for "horrible thing" seen by God seem to stretch the limits of that which God sees as evil, but we cannot be further definitive. Leon Wood thinks that "The "horrible thing" singled out is the sin of prostitution," and he could be correct. Patterson adds that "A similar form of this rare word (shaʿarur) occurs in Jeremiah to designate the deceit and wickedness of Israel’s spiritual leadership (Jer 5:30; 23:14) and the almost unbelievable fact that Israel had forgotten God and gone after idols (Jer 18:13–15)." Ephraim's harlotry is there, Israel has defiled itself - Gilbrant comments "God had seen something so disgusting that no one could deny it. In the sight of God and in the sense of his presence, all excuses fail. For what more horrible, more amazing than that this happened, not in any ordinary nation but in Israel was adultery and defilement." (Complete Biblical Library – Daniel-Malachi) Hosea 6:11 Also, O Judah, there there is a harvest appointed for you, When I restore the fortunes of My people. BGT Hosea 6:11 ἄρχου τρυγᾶν σεαυτῷ ἐν τῷ ἐπιστρέφειν με τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν τοῦ λαοῦ μου NET Hosea 6:11 I have appointed a time to reap judgment for you also, O Judah! Whenever I want to restore the fortunes of my people, LXE Hosea 6:11 begin together grapes for thyself, when I turn the captivity of my people. NLT Hosea 6:11 "O Judah, a harvest of punishment is also waiting for you, though I wanted to restore the fortunes of my people. KJV Hosea 6:11 Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people. ESV Hosea 6:11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore the fortunes of my people. CSB Hosea 6:11 A harvest is also appointed for you, Judah. When I return My people from captivity, NIV Hosea 6:11 "Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed. "Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, NKJ Hosea 6:11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people. NRS Hosea 6:11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I would restore the fortunes of my people, YLT Hosea 6:11 Also, O Judah, appointed is a harvest to thee, In My turning back to the captivity of My people! NAB Hosea 6:11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest has been appointed. NJB Hosea 6:11 For you too, Judah, a harvest is in store, when I restore my people's fortunes. GWN Hosea 6:11 "Yet, Judah, I have set a harvest time for you when I bring my people back from captivity. BHT Hosea 6:11 Gam-yühûdâ šät qäcîr läk Büšûbî šübût `ammî P WTT Hosea 6:11 גַּם־יְהוּדָה שָׁת קָצִיר לָךְ בְּשׁוּבִי שְׁבוּת עַמִּי פ there is a harvest appointed for you. Ho 8:7. 10:12, 13. Pr 22:8. Is 17:5-8. Je 51:33. Jl 3:12, 13. Mic 4:12. Mt 13:30, 39. Lk 3:17. Ga 6:7, 8. Re 14:14-20. When I restore. Ps 102:16, 22. the fortunes of My people I returned the captivity. Jb 42:10. Ps 126:1, 4. 147:2. Je 29:14. Ezk 20:34, 41. 39:25. Am 9:14. Zp 2:7. 3:20. Ac 1:6. JUDAH'S HARVEST FOR EVIL & RESTORATION OF FORTUNES Also, O Judah, there there is a harvest (qatsir) appointed for you - While Hosea is addressing primarily the Northern Kingdom, his prophetic warnings clearly apply to the Southern Kingdom. Not only did they commit the same sins but they even had the "benefit" of witnessing Israel's reaping of what she had sown. And that still did not serve to deter them from the same idolatrous, unfaithful sin against Jehovah. Judah tracked right along in the sinful path of their northern sister! Hosea's use of the metaphor of a harvest (qatsir) reminds one of the picture described by Joel of God's coming judgment Put in the sickle, for the harvest (qatsir) is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. (Joel 3:13+) That was the "easy" part of the verse to interpret - Judah will be judged but the interpretation of the next phrase is more problematic. When I restore the fortunes of My people - There is dramatic difference between a "harvest" (of judgment) and a prophecy of restoration of fortunes for God's people and at least two major interpretative questions arise - WHERE and WHEN? The first question is WHERE? Specifically should this passage be placed at the end of verse 11 or at the beginning of Hosea 7:1? The opinions are divided as the original Masoretic Text places it with verse 11. On the other hand the "hopeful" prophetic aspect of this passage fits better with the hopeful prophetic aspect of the first part of Hosea 7:1 which reads "When I would heal Israel." Frankly, where one decides to place restore the fortunes makes little practical difference for the text still says what it says and that is specifically that God will restore the fortunes. The second question is to WHEN does this restoration of "My people" (Hos 6:11b) refer and when will God "heal Israel?" (Hos 7:1a) In other words when will this prophecy be fulfilled? Some say it was fulfilled when Judah returned to the land after 70 years of captivity and that is certainly a historical fact, so that would be at least a partial fulfillment of this prophecy. However, in my opinion, there is also a yet future fulfillment that will occur at the end of this age when Messiah returns and "all Israel will be saved" (Ro 11:26) for that is the only time when the related or parallel prophecy "when I would heal Israel" would be fulfilled assuming this speaks of spiritual healing which is the most important type of healing. Thus even modern Israel is still not spiritually healed, for the majority of the nation still rejects the Messiah, the Healer, and they will not recognize Him until He returns as prophesied in Zechariah 12:10+ “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that (PURPOSE) they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. Finally it should be noted that the phrase restoration of fortunes is a very important concept in the Old Testament and most of the 20 occurrences of this phrase apply to Israel. The idea of this Hebrew phrase is "to turn a turning" signifying a reversal of divine judgment and replacement with restoration to a state of well-being and prosperity. Talk about amazing grace (God giving what is not deserved)! (See an in depth discussion of this important OT concept restoration of fortunes.) For example there is almost al passage in Amos 9:14-15+ which is almost identical to Hosea 6:11b and it is clearly in a prophetic context that will be fulfilled in the future. “Also I will restore (shub/sub) the captivity (shebuth - also translated "fortunes") of My people Israel (cf Hos 6:11-7:1a = "When I restore the fortunes ["captivity"] of My people. When I would heal Israel") , And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 “I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them,” Says the LORD your God. In another prophetic passage in Joel the identical Hebrew phrase is found again and the context is clearly speaking of the future restoration of Israel. Thus Joel 3:1+ reads "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes (shebuth - also translated "captivity") of Judah and Jerusalem." (See Joel Commentary) Related Resource: In depth discussion of Old Testament phrase restore the fortunes In summary, I suggest that the weight of Biblical evidence supports Hosea 6:11b as being a prophecy of the future restoration of the nation of Israel at the end of this age, and having a partial fulfillment in the return of the exiles from Babylon. Duane Garrett - This is not a lamentation by Yahweh, but a promise that the restoration of the nation will involve exposure and healing of their sins. (New American Commentary) J Vernon McGee seems to agree writing "“When I returned the captivity of my people”—there is a future day when God will bring the people back to the land, but at that time He had to judge them for their sin." David Thompson - God describes what He will eventually do to His people. Hosea 6:11 Look carefully at the end of verse 11. You read this verse and you say, you have got to be kidding me. God will restore the fortunes of His people. His people have done evil and perverse things and God says I will “restore the fortunes of My people.” Now we must ask why in the world would God do that? Because God’s people are God’s family and He still loves His family. What an amazing God. I do not know how far you have wandered away from God. I do not know all of the perverse sin that is in your life. What I do know is that if you, as a prodigal, will turn back to God, He will restore His blessings on you because He loves you. That is the message of Hosea 6. Come back to God and go after the knowledge of God and God’s blessings will be yours. (Sermon Restore (turn back, bring back) (07725)(shub/sub) is a verb meaning to turn, to return, to go back, to do again, to change, to withdraw, to bring back, to reestablish, to be returned, to bring back, to take, to restore, to recompense. Note that this verb restore (shub/sub) appears repeatedly in Hosea...several times it occurs in an eschatological context and that appears to be the case in Hosea 6:11. While one might ascribe the fulfillment of this promise of restoring fortunes as a reference to Judah's return after 70 years of Babylonian captivity, as discussed above it would be difficult to exclude that the final fulfillment of this restoration awaits the return of the Messiah, salvation of "My people" (note he does not say just "Judah" as he would if it were referring only to the Babylonian captivity) and entrance into the Messianic Kingdom. Hosea 2:7 “She will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them; And she will seek them, but will not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my first husband, For it was better for me then than now!’ Hosea 2:9 “Therefore, I will take back (Literally "I will return and I will take") My grain at harvest time And My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My flax Given to cover her nakedness. Hos. 3:5 (Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; Hosea 4:9 And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds. Hosea 5:4 Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the LORD. Hos. 5:15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Hos. 6:1; "Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. Hos. 6:11; Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, When I restore the fortunes of My people. Hosea 7:10 Though the pride of Israel testifies against him, Yet they have not returned to the LORD their God, Nor have they sought Him, for all this. Hosea 7:16 They turn, but not upward, They are like a deceitful bow; Their princes will fall by the sword Because of the insolence of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt. Hosea 8:13 As for My sacrificial gifts, They sacrifice the flesh and eat it, But the LORD has taken no delight in them. Now He will remember their iniquity, And punish them for their sins; They will return to Egypt. Hosea 9:3 They will not remain in the LORD’S land, But Ephraim will return to Egypt, And in Assyria they will eat unclean food. Hosea 11:5 They will not return to the land of Egypt; But Assyria–he will be their king Because they refused to return to Me. Hosea 11:9 I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not (Literally "turn not back to") destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath. Hosea 12:2 The LORD also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds. Hosea 12:6 Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually. Hosea 12:14 Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger; So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him And bring back his reproach to him. Hosea 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Hosea 14:2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. Hosea 14:4 I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. Hosea 14:7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hos 14:7 ESV) Fortunes (captivity)(07622)(shebuth from shabah = to take captive but some think it originates from shub = to return, restore) is a feminine noun which has two main meanings in the OT, (1) captivity, captives (esp Nu 21:29 referring to Moab), implying control and oppression and (2) fortunes, assets (primarily possessions, materials, and property though not exclusively so which will make life easier and more secure). One could see how both senses are meant in some passages because to restore someone from captivity is tantamount to bringing them into a place of good fortune. Baker adds that "This word conveys either a state of exile, such as being taken for a spoil of war, or the subjects of such captivity. The chief use was in declaring the liberating power of the Lord in releasing His people from such banishment (Deut. 30:3+; Jer. 33:7+; Hos. 6:11+)." The Septuagint (Lxx) translates fortunes in Hosea 6:11 with the noun aichmalosia which means captivity, state of captivity as a result of war (Rev 13.10). Fortunes - 28v in the OT translated in the NAS as captive(3), captivity(9), fortune(1), fortunes(18), own captivity(1). Num. 21:29; Deut. 30:3; Job 42:10; Ps. 14:7; Ps. 53:6; Ps. 85:1; Ps. 126:1; Ps. 126:4; Jer. 29:14; Jer. 30:3; Jer. 30:18; Jer. 31:23; Jer. 32:44; Jer. 33:7; Jer. 33:11; Jer. 33:26; Jer. 48:47; Jer. 49:6; Jer. 49:39; Lam. 2:14; Ezek. 16:53; Ezek. 29:14; Ezek. 39:25; Hos. 6:11; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:14; Zeph. 2:7; Zeph. 3:20 Hubbard writes "Again (cf. Hos 6:4) the gracious divine intent collides with the realities of Ephraim’s rebellion. God’s longing to show mercy is expressed in the desire to return Israel, his battered and beleaguered people (Hos 5:10-14), i.e. the entire land (cf. on Hos 1:9-2:1; 2:23; 4:1, 6, 8, 12) to a robust state of social, spiritual and material health: restore the fortunes is a familiar prophetic way of expressing this (cf. on Joel 3:1); heal is one of Hosea’s favourite terms for the reversal of Israel’s immorality and consequent suffering in judgment (Hos 5:13; 6:1; 11:3; 14:4). The two clauses—Hos 6:11b and Hos 7:1a—are parallel and should be read together (cf. RSV; NEB; NIV) despite the unfortunate chapter division that separates them (Vulg.; AV; JB; NASB). (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Hosea) ED: Hubbard's erudite discussion is interesting, but he really does not come down definitively on the timing of when God will show mercy to "His battered and beleaguered people...,i.e., the entire land...to a robust state of social, spiritual and material health." Hubbard does rightly point out that "restore the fortunes" is a familiar prophetic way of expressing this" but he does not say when that prophecy would be fulfilled. Whether one places restore the fortunes with Hos 6:11 or Hos 7:1, one is reminded of the great, mercy filled words in the prophecy of Habakkuk... LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. (Hab 3:2+)