How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (NRSV Hosea 6:6]
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV Hosea 6:6)
The revolution begins. The idea of mercy in this passage is more than just taking pity on someone—it speaks to a broader ethic of mutual responsibility coupled with obedience to the commands in Yahweh’s covenant. Ritual is nice and all, but the important thing is that folks look out for each other.
Quote #2
They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me. Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (NRSV Hosea 14:7-9)
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (KJV Hosea 14:6-9)
Repentance. Living beneath God’s shadow. Knowing and following the ways of Yahweh. If this doesn’t sound familiar, make like an ancient scribe and keep scrolling. God uses all these nature metaphors to demonstrates his careful tending to Ephraim (Israel)
Quote #3
“Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.” (NRSV 3:9-4:2)
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (KJV 3:9-4:2)
Nineveh repents and God changes his mind about destroying the city, which just happens to be the Assyrian capital. Jonah, however, would rather see Nineveh blasted into oblivion, which is understandable given the likelihood that this book was written after Assyria had invaded Israel and cast the ten tribes to the four winds. This is one of the few times that we get a report of God’s compassion and forgiveness against a foreign power, even one who’s been a sworn enemy of Israel.