◄ Hosea 6:5 ►
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.
Study Bible
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets
The word "hewn" in Hebrew is "חָצַב" (chatsab), which means to cut or carve. This imagery suggests a forceful and deliberate action, akin to a sculptor shaping stone. In the context of Hosea, God uses the prophets as instruments to shape and correct His people. The prophets, through their messages, were meant to cut away the sin and idolatry that had taken root in Israel. Historically, prophets like Hosea were sent to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness, often delivering messages that were sharp and convicting. This phrase underscores the seriousness with which God approaches the sin of His people, using His messengers to bring about necessary change.

I have slain them by the words of My mouth
The Hebrew word for "slain" is "הָרַג" (harag), which means to kill or destroy. This phrase emphasizes the power and authority of God's word. In the biblical narrative, God's word is not just informative but performative—it accomplishes what it declares. The "words of My mouth" signify divine pronouncements that bring about judgment. This reflects the historical reality where the prophetic word often preceded actual events of judgment, such as invasions or exiles. The phrase serves as a reminder of the life-and-death power inherent in God's declarations, urging the audience to heed His warnings.

and My judgments go forth like lightning
The imagery of "lightning" conveys suddenness, visibility, and power. In Hebrew, "lightning" is "בָּרָק" (baraq), which is often associated with divine presence and action. Lightning is a natural phenomenon that commands attention and respect, much like God's judgments. Historically, this reflects the swift and undeniable nature of God's justice as experienced by Israel. The phrase suggests that God's judgments are not only inevitable but also executed with precision and clarity. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His justice, encouraging believers to live in reverence and obedience to His will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst widespread idolatry and moral decay.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often characterized by its rebellion against God, idolatry, and social injustice during Hosea's time.

3. Prophets
Messengers sent by God to deliver His words and warnings to the people. In this context, they are instruments of God's judgment and correction.

4. God's Judgments
The divine decisions and actions taken by God in response to the sin and rebellion of His people, often communicated through the prophets.

5. Lightning
A metaphor for the swift and powerful nature of God's judgments, emphasizing their inevitability and impact.
Teaching Points
The Power of God's Word
God's word is not just informative but transformative and authoritative. It has the power to convict, correct, and guide us in righteousness.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering messages that can be both comforting and challenging. We should be attentive to the messages God sends through His chosen vessels.

The Certainty of Divine Judgment
God's judgments are inevitable and just. They serve as a reminder of His holiness and the seriousness of sin. We must live in a way that honors God's standards.

Repentance and Restoration
While God's judgments are real, His desire is for repentance and restoration. We should respond to His warnings with humility and a willingness to change.

The Urgency of Obedience
Just as lightning is swift, so can be the consequences of disobedience. We should strive to obey God's commands promptly and wholeheartedly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of being "hewn by the prophets" and "slain by the words of My mouth" impact your understanding of the role of God's word in your life?

2. In what ways can we discern and respond to modern-day "prophets" or messages that God might be sending us?

3. How does the metaphor of lightning help you understand the nature of God's judgments, and how should this influence your daily walk with God?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the convicting power of God's word. How did it lead to change or growth in your life?

5. Considering the connections to other scriptures, how can you apply the lessons from Hosea 6:5 to encourage others in their faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 23:29
This verse compares God's word to a fire and a hammer, similar to Hosea 6:5's imagery of God's word as a tool of judgment.

Hebrews 4:12
The description of God's word as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, aligns with the idea of God's word being powerful and penetrating.

Isaiah 55:11
This verse speaks to the effectiveness of God's word, which accomplishes what He desires, paralleling the certainty of His judgments in Hosea 6:5.
Sermons
Fugitive PietyC. Jerdan Hosea 6:4, 5
Evanishing GoodnessJ. Orr Hosea 6:4-6
People
Adam, Haggai, Hosea
Places
Assyria, Gilead, Shechem
Topics
Cut, Flash, Flashed, Forth, Goes, Hewed, Hewn, Judgment, Judgments, Killed, Lightning, Mouth, Pieces, Prophets, Sayings, Slain, Stones, Teaching
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 6:5

     4834   light, natural
     4838   lightning
     5167   mouth

Library
Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
Three things I must do this morning; first, I must deal a blow, at the old Tempter, who has got the first hand at you; secondly, I will come to reason comfortably with you; and then, thirdly, I must lovingly persuade you, saying--"Come, let us return unto the Lord." I. First then, I must DEAL A BLOW AT THE OLD TEMPTER, WHO HAS GOT BEFORE ME AND HAS BEGUN TO DECEIVE YOU. I cannot tell what is the precise temptation that Satan has been using with you, but I think it is very likely to be one of four. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Limitations of Earth's Great Week.
We are well aware that in broaching this point we shall probably evoke the criticism of honored brethren and be charged with "setting a date" for the Return of our Lord. Nevertheless, we feel constrained to set down our honest convictions, only asking our readers to examine in the light of Holy Writ what we now advance tentatively and not dogmatically. In ancient times it was commonly held by Jewish rabbis before our Lord's first advent, and by many of the most eminent of the church fathers afterwards, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

St Gregory the Great (Ad 540-604)
PART I Gregory was born at Rome, of a noble and wealthy family, in the year 540. In his youth he engaged in public business, and he rose to be proctor of Rome, which was one of the chief offices under the government. In this office he was much beloved and respected by the people. But about the age of thirty-five, a great change took place in his life. He resolved to forsake the pursuit of worldly honours, and spent all his wealth in founding seven monasteries. He gave up his family house at Rome …
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Prayer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRAYER. WHAT is prayer? A sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God hath promised. The best prayers have often more groans than words. Alas, how few there be in the world whose heart and mouth in prayer shall go together. Dost thou, when thou askest for the Spirit, or faith, or love to God, to holiness, to saints, to the word, and the like, ask for them with love to them, …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

The Coming Revival
"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. lxxxv. 6. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. iii. 2. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. cxxxviii. 7. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. lvii. 15. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. He will revive us."--HOS. vi. 1, 2. The Coming …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

The Strait Gate. Warned against Herod.
(Peræa.) ^C Luke XIII. 22-35. ^c 22 And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem. [This verse probably refers back to verse 10, and indicates that Jesus resumed his journey after the brief rest on the Sabbath day when he healed the woman with the curvature of the spine.] 23 And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? [It is likely that this question was asked by a Jew, and that the two parables illustrating the smallness of the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Divine Calls.
"And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel; Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for Thy servant heareth."--1 Samuel iii. 10. In the narrative of which these words form part, we have a remarkable instance of a Divine call, and the manner in which it is our duty to meet it. Samuel was from a child brought to the house of the Lord; and in due time he was called to a sacred office, and made a prophet. He was called, and he forthwith answered the call. God said, "Samuel, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it Produces in Men's Apprehensions.
2 COR. v. 17. 2 COR. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. THE knowledge of our true state in religion, is at once a matter of so great importance, and so great difficulty that, in order to obtain it, it is necessary we should have line upon line and precept upon precept. The plain discourse, which you before heard, was intended to lead you into it; and I question not but I then said enough to convince many, that they were …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Job's Faith and Expectation
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. C hristianity, that is, the religion of which MESSIAH is the author and object, the foundation, life, and glory, though not altogether as old as creation, is nearly so. It is coeval [contemporary] with the first promise and intimation of mercy given to fallen man. When Adam, by transgression, had violated the order and law of …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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