Hosea 4-7

“They do not cry to Me from their heart when they wail on their beds” (7:14).  God offered forgiveness to Israel and Judah, but He required repentance.  In public, they said “Come, let us return to the Lord” (6:1).  However, God saw past their appearance to their hearts, and “their anger smolders all night ... none of them calls on Me” (7:7).  God was willing to forgive every kind of evil, yet “they speak lies against Me” (7:13).

God’s grace is free, but it can be refused.  God’s desire to make us His people has to be met by our response: “Thou art My God” (2:23).