Hosea 6:6–7 (ESV) —
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant;
there they dealt faithlessly with me.
NOTE: Verse 7
indicates that Adam was under a covenant, the Adamic covenant. This is
different from the Edenic covenant (the covenant of innocence). Differences and
descriptions can be found at http://www.messianicassociation.org/ezine17-af.covenants.htm.
Verse 6 references the Mosaic covenant, but what was lost was the purpose
behind the rules. The covenants were not intended to be a rule system for
access to God, but rather a protection from the impact of the world. Actually,
there are quite a few reasons for the Mosaic covenant and they can be found at http://lighthouseclass.org/dev/images/pdf/mbs006_the_law_of_moses.pdf.
The principle behind
verses 6 and 7 is still true today. Our heart is what most important to God.
Our works and even our behavior if done out of rote reasons is not what God
desires. A good example is our giving. Ten percent is a good thing to do, but
for those who make much more than the average, ten percent is essentially a
burnt offering with no love. For those who rely on tithing, the Jewish tithe (https://www.ariel.org/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=64296&Q=)
amounted to an average of 23 percent per year, not the ten percent we like to
point to. Also, the NT does endorse tithing. The NT principle is expressed 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) — Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
So, what is the
point? Our heart needs to be tuned to God first. Our heart needs to be changed.
The word of God can transform our heart and mind. I was reminded of a great
verse the other day, James 4:4
(ESV) — You adulterous people! Do you
not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever
wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Let's
be friends of God, not friends with this world. Put God first.
PRAYER: Father,
forgive us for loving the world. We need to love you first and foremost. May we
make you THE priority of our life.
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