Hosea 6:3
Verse
Context
The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah
2After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. 3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
Sermons
Rolfe Barnard
A.W. Tozer
Miles J. Stanford
Sarah Foulkes Moore
John Gill
David Smithers
Jack HylesSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then shall we know - We shall have the fullest evidence that we have not believed in vain. If we follow on to know the Lord - If we continue to be as much in earnest as we now are. His going forth - The manifestation of his mercy to our souls is as certain as the rising of the sun at the appointed time. And he shall come unto us as the rain - As surely as the early and the latter rain come. The first, to prepare the earth for the seed; this fell in autumn: the second, to prepare the full ear for the harvest; this fell in spring. Here is strong confidence; but not misplaced, however worthless the persons were. As surely as the sun, who is now set, is running his course to arise on us in the morning, and make a glorious day after a dreary night, so surely shall the Lord come again from his place, and the Sun of righteousness shall arise on our souls with healing in his wings. He is already on his way to save us.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
know, if we follow on to know the Lord--The result of His recovered favor (Hos 6:2) will be onward growth in saving knowledge of God, as the result of perseverance in following after Him (Psa 63:8; Isa 54:13). "Then" implies the consequence of the revival in Hos 6:2. The "if" is not so much conditional, as expressive of the means which God's grace will sanctify to the full enlightenment of Israel in the knowledge of Him. As want of "knowledge of God" has been the source of all evils (Hos 4:1; Hos 5:4), so the knowledge of Him will bring with it all blessings; yea, it is "life" (Joh 17:3). This knowledge is practice, not mere theory (Jer 22:15-16). Theology is life, not science; realities, not words. This onward progress is illustrated by the light of "morning" increasing more and more "unto the perfect day" (Pro 4:18). prepared--"is sure," literally, "fixed," ordered in His everlasting purposes of love to His covenant-people. Compare "prepared of God" (Gen 41:32, Margin; Rev 12:6). Jehovah shall surely come to the relief of His people after their dark night of calamity. as the morning-- (Sa2 23:4). as the rain . . . latter . . . former-- (Job 29:23; Joe 2:23). First, "the rain" generally is mentioned; then the two rains (Deu 11:14) which caused the fertility of Palestine, and the absence of which was accounted the greatest calamity: "the latter rain" which falls in the latter half of February, and during March and April, just before the harvest whence it takes its name, from a root meaning " to gather"; and "the former rain," literally, "the darting rain," from the middle of October to the middle of December. As the rain fertilizes the otherwise barren land, so God's favor will restore Israel long nationally lifeless.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord,.... The word "if" is not in the original text, and the passage is not conditional, but absolute; for as persons, when converted, know Christ, and not before, when he is revealed to them, and in them, as the only Saviour and Redeemer, so they continue and increase in the knowledge of him; they earnestly desire to know more of him, and eagerly pursue those means and methods by which they attain to a greater degree of it; for so the words are, "and we shall know, we shall follow on to know the Lord" (t); that grace, which has given the first measure of spiritual and experimental knowledge of him, will influence and engage them to seek after more. The Jews, when they are quickened, and turn to the Lord, will know him, own and acknowledge him, as the Messiah, the only Redeemer and Saviour; and will be so delighted with the knowledge of him, that they will be desirous of, and seek after, a larger measure of it; and indeed they shall all know him, from the least to the greatest, when the covenant of grace shall be renewed with them, manifested and applied to them. The words may be considered as a continuation of their exhortation to one another from Hos 6:1; thus, "and let us acknowledge, let us follow on to know him" (u); let us own him as the true Messiah, whom we and our fathers have rejected; and let us make use of all means to gain more knowledge of him: or let us follow after him, to serve and obey him, which is the practical knowledge of him; let us imitate him, and follow him the Lamb of God, embrace his Gospel, and submit to his ordinances. So Kimchi interprets it, "to know him"; that is, to serve him; first know him, then serve him; his going forth is prepared as the morning; that is, the Lord's going forth, who is known, and followed after to be more known; and is to be understood, not of his going forth in the council and covenant of grace from everlasting; nor of his incarnation in time, or of his resurrection from the dead; but of his spiritual coming in the latter day, with the brightness of which he will destroy antichrist; or of his going forth in the ministration of the Gospel, to the conversion of Jews and Gentiles, the light of which dispensation will be very great; it will be like a morning after a long night of darkness with the Jewish and Pagan nations; and be as grateful and delightful, beautiful and cheerful, as the morning light; and move as swiftly and irresistibly as that, and be alike growing and increasing: and so the words are a reason of the increasing knowledge of the Lord's people in those times, because he shall go forth in the ministration of the word like the morning light, which increases more and more till noon; and of the evidence and clearness of it, it being like a morning without clouds; with which agrees the note of Joseph Kimchi, "we shall know him, and it will be as clear to us as the light of the morning without clouds:'' and also of the firmness and certainty of it; for both the increasing knowledge of the saints, and the going forth of Christ in a spiritual manner, is "firm" and "sure" (which may be the sense of the word (w)) as the morning; for, as sure as the night cometh, so also the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth; in the land of Israel they had usually two rains in a year; the one in autumn, or quickly after the seed was sown; the other in the spring, when the corn was ripe, and harvest near, and which was very reviving and refreshing to the earth, and the fruits of it; and such will be the coming of Christ unto his people, in the ministration of the Gospel in the latter day, which will drop as the rain, and distil as the dew, as the small rain on the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass; and in the discoveries of his favour and love to them, and in the distribution of the blessings of his grace among them. Much the like phrases are used of the spiritual coming of Christ in the latter day, Psa 72:6. The Targum is, "and we shall learn, and we shall follow on, to know the fear of the Lord, as the morning light, which darts in its going out; and blessings will come to us as a prevailing rain, and as the latter rain which waters the earth.'' (t) "sciemusque, sequemur ad sciendum Dominum", Montanus; "et cognoscemus, et persequemur ad cognoscendum Jehovam", Zanchius; "sciemus persequemur", Liveleus. (u) "Cognoscamus, sive agnoscamus, et persequautur scientiam Dominis", Schmidt. (w) "firmum certum notat", sic quidam in Schmidt; "firmatus ac stabilitus", Tarnovius.
Hosea 6:3
The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah
2After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. 3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
When the Lights Go Out on the Road to Hell
By Rolfe Barnard8761:00:16JER 29:13HOS 6:3ROM 1:24In this sermon, the pastor discusses the concept of judgment in the Bible. He emphasizes that all people will face a final judgment and meet God face to face. However, the focus of the sermon is on the present judgment of God, which is seen in the dealings of God with His covenant people throughout the Old and New Testaments. The pastor highlights that God judicially blinds those who deliberately refuse to walk in the light and hardens their hearts. He references passages from the book of Romans to support his points and emphasizes the importance of reaching people with the word of God.
Purifying Conceptions of God
By A.W. Tozer0Understanding GodPurification of FaithPSA 103:14HOS 6:3JHN 17:3ROM 12:21CO 13:12EPH 4:13PHP 1:92TI 2:15HEB 5:14JAS 1:5A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of purifying our conceptions of God, acknowledging that when we first come to faith, our understanding is often clouded by superstition, ignorance, and error. He explains that while conversion brings some clarity, many misconceptions about God remain, shaped by flawed teachings and personal biases. Tozer encourages believers to actively seek a deeper knowledge of God, as this pursuit will gradually refine their understanding and eliminate unworthy notions. He reassures that God is patient with our imperfections, recognizing our human limitations as we grow in faith.
The March of Time
By Miles J. Stanford0PSA 37:7HOS 6:3JHN 14:26ROM 8:14GAL 5:25PHP 3:14Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord and allowing His Spirit to work in us to bring about true growth and execution of His truths in our lives. He highlights the difference between merely knowing Jesus as Savior and truly experiencing Him as Life, a journey that takes time and surrender to God's timing and guidance. Stanford encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain in the circle of His interests, even if the fulfillment of their purposes is delayed, drawing parallels to Moses' forty-year wait before his purpose was fully realized on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Worldwide the Need-Worldwide This Call!
By Sarah Foulkes Moore0JER 29:11HOS 6:3HOS 10:12JOL 2:12JON 3:7ZEC 10:1HEB 11:6Sarah Foulkes Moore preaches on the power of fasting and prayer in times of trouble and the urgent need for revival through seeking the Lord wholeheartedly. She emphasizes the importance of putting God first through fasting and praying for divine intervention, as seen in the examples of Queen Esther, the Jews in captivity, and Nineveh. Moore calls for deep repentance, genuine sorrow for sin, and a fervent desire for victory over sin through fasting-prayer, believing in God's reward for those who diligently seek Him.
Of the Knowledge of God.
By John Gill0Knowledge Of GodSpiritual EnlightenmentPRO 19:2HOS 6:3MAT 11:27JHN 14:17JHN 17:3ROM 10:172CO 4:6EPH 1:171TH 4:51JN 4:8John Gill emphasizes the critical importance of the knowledge of God as foundational to true godliness and experimental religion. He argues that without knowledge of God, there can be no genuine worship, obedience, or affection towards Him, as ignorance leads to irreligion and idolatry. Gill illustrates that true knowledge of God is essential for understanding one's own state, the nature of sin, and the way to salvation through Christ. He contrasts the ignorance of the unregenerate with the enlightened understanding of the renewed, who know God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit intimately. Ultimately, Gill asserts that this knowledge is not merely intellectual but must be practical, leading to a life of obedience and communion with God.
Richard Baxter
By David Smithers02CH 7:14PSA 139:23PRO 27:7HOS 6:3JOL 2:17ZEC 10:1MAT 11:28MRK 9:24JHN 14:1David Smithers preaches about the hunger within the Church for a genuine revival, emphasizing the need for a revival that restores the Church to its apostolic purity and power, preparing believers to face a dying world and the coming King. He highlights the example of Richard Baxter, a Puritan pastor who sparked a mighty revival in Kidderminster through passionate preaching and personal pastoral care, transforming the community by the power of the Holy Spirit. Baxter's tireless zeal and fervent prayers were instrumental in the revival, demonstrating the essential role of prayer in preparing the way for revival and overcoming obstacles.
A Brook in the Way
By Jack Hyles0PSA 110:1ISA 52:14ISA 55:1HOS 6:3REV 22:17Jack Hyles preaches on Psalm 110, which looks forward to the coming of Christ in Bethlehem, focusing on His first coming and the week of suffering during the Passion Week. The Psalm portrays Jesus' journey to the cross, highlighting the intense suffering He endured, including the scourging, crucifixion, and shame. Despite the agony, there is a mention of a refreshing brook symbolizing a source of comfort and refreshment during Jesus' darkest moments of suffering.
On to Maturity
By Miles J. Stanford0PSA 32:8PRO 3:5HOS 6:31PE 1:31PE 1:23Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of seeking to know the Lord deeply, moving beyond surface-level experiences and blessings to a profound understanding of God Himself. He encourages believers to press on in their spiritual journey, trusting that God will lead them at the right pace and provide the nourishment they need. Stanford warns against being deceived by counterfeit spiritual experiences and highlights the necessity of systematic, Spirit-led study of the Bible as the only true sustenance for the Christian life.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then shall we know - We shall have the fullest evidence that we have not believed in vain. If we follow on to know the Lord - If we continue to be as much in earnest as we now are. His going forth - The manifestation of his mercy to our souls is as certain as the rising of the sun at the appointed time. And he shall come unto us as the rain - As surely as the early and the latter rain come. The first, to prepare the earth for the seed; this fell in autumn: the second, to prepare the full ear for the harvest; this fell in spring. Here is strong confidence; but not misplaced, however worthless the persons were. As surely as the sun, who is now set, is running his course to arise on us in the morning, and make a glorious day after a dreary night, so surely shall the Lord come again from his place, and the Sun of righteousness shall arise on our souls with healing in his wings. He is already on his way to save us.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
know, if we follow on to know the Lord--The result of His recovered favor (Hos 6:2) will be onward growth in saving knowledge of God, as the result of perseverance in following after Him (Psa 63:8; Isa 54:13). "Then" implies the consequence of the revival in Hos 6:2. The "if" is not so much conditional, as expressive of the means which God's grace will sanctify to the full enlightenment of Israel in the knowledge of Him. As want of "knowledge of God" has been the source of all evils (Hos 4:1; Hos 5:4), so the knowledge of Him will bring with it all blessings; yea, it is "life" (Joh 17:3). This knowledge is practice, not mere theory (Jer 22:15-16). Theology is life, not science; realities, not words. This onward progress is illustrated by the light of "morning" increasing more and more "unto the perfect day" (Pro 4:18). prepared--"is sure," literally, "fixed," ordered in His everlasting purposes of love to His covenant-people. Compare "prepared of God" (Gen 41:32, Margin; Rev 12:6). Jehovah shall surely come to the relief of His people after their dark night of calamity. as the morning-- (Sa2 23:4). as the rain . . . latter . . . former-- (Job 29:23; Joe 2:23). First, "the rain" generally is mentioned; then the two rains (Deu 11:14) which caused the fertility of Palestine, and the absence of which was accounted the greatest calamity: "the latter rain" which falls in the latter half of February, and during March and April, just before the harvest whence it takes its name, from a root meaning " to gather"; and "the former rain," literally, "the darting rain," from the middle of October to the middle of December. As the rain fertilizes the otherwise barren land, so God's favor will restore Israel long nationally lifeless.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord,.... The word "if" is not in the original text, and the passage is not conditional, but absolute; for as persons, when converted, know Christ, and not before, when he is revealed to them, and in them, as the only Saviour and Redeemer, so they continue and increase in the knowledge of him; they earnestly desire to know more of him, and eagerly pursue those means and methods by which they attain to a greater degree of it; for so the words are, "and we shall know, we shall follow on to know the Lord" (t); that grace, which has given the first measure of spiritual and experimental knowledge of him, will influence and engage them to seek after more. The Jews, when they are quickened, and turn to the Lord, will know him, own and acknowledge him, as the Messiah, the only Redeemer and Saviour; and will be so delighted with the knowledge of him, that they will be desirous of, and seek after, a larger measure of it; and indeed they shall all know him, from the least to the greatest, when the covenant of grace shall be renewed with them, manifested and applied to them. The words may be considered as a continuation of their exhortation to one another from Hos 6:1; thus, "and let us acknowledge, let us follow on to know him" (u); let us own him as the true Messiah, whom we and our fathers have rejected; and let us make use of all means to gain more knowledge of him: or let us follow after him, to serve and obey him, which is the practical knowledge of him; let us imitate him, and follow him the Lamb of God, embrace his Gospel, and submit to his ordinances. So Kimchi interprets it, "to know him"; that is, to serve him; first know him, then serve him; his going forth is prepared as the morning; that is, the Lord's going forth, who is known, and followed after to be more known; and is to be understood, not of his going forth in the council and covenant of grace from everlasting; nor of his incarnation in time, or of his resurrection from the dead; but of his spiritual coming in the latter day, with the brightness of which he will destroy antichrist; or of his going forth in the ministration of the Gospel, to the conversion of Jews and Gentiles, the light of which dispensation will be very great; it will be like a morning after a long night of darkness with the Jewish and Pagan nations; and be as grateful and delightful, beautiful and cheerful, as the morning light; and move as swiftly and irresistibly as that, and be alike growing and increasing: and so the words are a reason of the increasing knowledge of the Lord's people in those times, because he shall go forth in the ministration of the word like the morning light, which increases more and more till noon; and of the evidence and clearness of it, it being like a morning without clouds; with which agrees the note of Joseph Kimchi, "we shall know him, and it will be as clear to us as the light of the morning without clouds:'' and also of the firmness and certainty of it; for both the increasing knowledge of the saints, and the going forth of Christ in a spiritual manner, is "firm" and "sure" (which may be the sense of the word (w)) as the morning; for, as sure as the night cometh, so also the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth; in the land of Israel they had usually two rains in a year; the one in autumn, or quickly after the seed was sown; the other in the spring, when the corn was ripe, and harvest near, and which was very reviving and refreshing to the earth, and the fruits of it; and such will be the coming of Christ unto his people, in the ministration of the Gospel in the latter day, which will drop as the rain, and distil as the dew, as the small rain on the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass; and in the discoveries of his favour and love to them, and in the distribution of the blessings of his grace among them. Much the like phrases are used of the spiritual coming of Christ in the latter day, Psa 72:6. The Targum is, "and we shall learn, and we shall follow on, to know the fear of the Lord, as the morning light, which darts in its going out; and blessings will come to us as a prevailing rain, and as the latter rain which waters the earth.'' (t) "sciemusque, sequemur ad sciendum Dominum", Montanus; "et cognoscemus, et persequemur ad cognoscendum Jehovam", Zanchius; "sciemus persequemur", Liveleus. (u) "Cognoscamus, sive agnoscamus, et persequautur scientiam Dominis", Schmidt. (w) "firmum certum notat", sic quidam in Schmidt; "firmatus ac stabilitus", Tarnovius.