Hosea 5:15

KJV

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will go {H3212} and return {H7725} to my place {H4725}, till they acknowledge their offence {H816}, and seek {H1245} my face {H6440}: in their affliction {H6862} they will seek me early {H7836}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will go and return to my place, till they admit their guilt and search for me, seeking me eagerly in their distress."

Berean Standard Bible

Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

American Standard Version

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 5:15 presents a profound divine declaration of withdrawal, where God states He will return to His "place" until the unfaithful Israelites genuinely acknowledge their guilt and earnestly seek His presence. This withdrawal is not abandonment but a disciplinary measure, designed to allow the natural consequences of their sin to unfold, thereby compelling them to seek Him diligently and urgently, particularly during their inevitable period of affliction. The verse underscores God's justice, His desire for true repentance, and His ultimate readiness to be found by those who seek Him wholeheartedly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 5:15 concludes a section (Hosea 5:1-15) filled with stern judgment against both Israel (Ephraim) and Judah for their spiritual adultery, idolatry, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on the Lord. The preceding verses detail God's intention to bring severe punishment, described as a "lion" tearing them apart and leaving them (Hosea 5:14). This imagery sets the stage for the divine withdrawal in verse 15, which is presented as the culmination of God's judicial action. The verse then transitions to the hope of repentance, serving as a bridge to chapter 6, which begins with the people's response to this affliction and their desire to return to the Lord, albeit initially a superficial one.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Hosea is set against the backdrop of the declining Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in the 8th century BCE, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BCE. Both Israel and Judah were characterized by political instability, social injustice, and widespread syncretism, blending Yahweh worship with Canaanite Baal worship. They sought military alliances with Egypt and Assyria, rather than trusting in God's protection. God's declaration to "return to my place" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern concept of a deity withdrawing favor or presence, leaving the people vulnerable. The "affliction" mentioned is a direct consequence of their covenant breaking and disobedience, a divinely ordained discipline intended to bring them to their senses and back to their covenant Lord.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes in Hosea and the prophetic literature. It highlights **divine judgment** as a necessary consequence of unfaithfulness, demonstrating that God's patience is not limitless. The concept of **divine withdrawal** emphasizes God's sovereignty and His willingness to allow His people to experience the bitter fruit of their choices, rather than perpetually intervening to prevent suffering. Crucially, the verse introduces the theme of **repentance as a prerequisite for restoration**, emphasizing the need for a genuine acknowledgment of sin and an earnest "seeking of God's face." Finally, it underscores the paradoxical truth that **affliction can serve as a catalyst for spiritual awakening**, driving a wayward people back to the very God they abandoned, as seen in the broader prophetic call for Israel to [return to the Lord their God](/hosea/14-1 "Hosea 14:1 - Return to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Go and return" (Hebrew, _yâlak_ H3212 & _shûwb_ H7725):** The verb _yâlak_ means "to walk, go, carry," often implying movement or departure. _Shûwb_ means "to turn back, return, restore." Together, "I will go and return" signifies a deliberate and decisive act of divine withdrawal. It is not an abandonment, but a strategic retreat by God from His active intervention and protective presence among His people. This withdrawal is intended to allow the full weight of their self-inflicted consequences to fall upon them, serving as a severe form of discipline designed to prompt repentance.
* **"Offence" (Hebrew, _ʼâsham_ H816):** This word carries the meaning "to be guilty," and by implication, "to be punished or perish." It denotes not just a mistake or an act of sin, but a state of culpability and the inherent guilt that demands restitution or punishment. For Israel, acknowledging their _ʼâsham_ means recognizing their profound guilt and culpability before God for their idolatry and covenant breaking, understanding that their suffering is a just consequence of their actions, rather than an arbitrary misfortune.
* **"Seek my face" / "seek me early" (Hebrew, _bâqash_ H1245, _pânîym_ H6440, _shâchar_ H7836):** The phrase "seek my face" (from _bâqash_ meaning "to search out, strive after, seek" and _pânîym_ meaning "face, presence") is a powerful idiom for earnestly desiring and pursuing God's favor, presence, and intimate communion. It implies a longing for restored relationship and reconciliation. The addition "seek me early" (from _shâchar_ meaning "to dawn, be up early at any task," implying earnestness and painstaking effort) intensifies this desire, suggesting an urgent, diligent, and wholehearted pursuit, often arising from a desperate situation. This combined emphasis highlights the depth and urgency of the repentance God desires.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will go [and] return to my place":** This clause declares God's deliberate act of withdrawing His active presence and protective hand from Israel. "My place" refers to His heavenly abode, signifying a cessation of direct intervention in their affairs and a removal of His immediate favor. This withdrawal is a judicial act, allowing the natural consequences of their sin to take their course.
* **"till they acknowledge their offence":** This sets the condition for God's return. The Hebrew word for "offence" (_ʼâsham_) implies not just a recognition of wrongdoing, but a deep confession of guilt and culpability for their covenant breaking and idolatry. It's a call for genuine repentance that stems from an internal conviction of sin against God, rather than merely regret over negative outcomes.
* **"and seek my face":** This clause further specifies the nature of the desired repentance. "Seeking God's face" is an idiomatic expression for earnestly pursuing His presence, favor, and reconciliation. It implies a longing for restored relationship, a turning away from idols, and a desire for intimate communion with the Lord. It signifies a shift from self-reliance or reliance on foreign powers to a humble dependence on God alone.
* **"in their affliction they will seek me early":** This prophetic statement reveals God's understanding of human nature. It predicts that Israel's suffering and distress ("affliction," _tsar_) will serve as a catalyst, compelling them to seek God with urgency and diligence ("seek me early," _shâchar_). This implies that while God's withdrawal is painful, it is ultimately redemptive, designed to bring His people to a point of desperation where they will earnestly turn back to Him.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 5:15 employs several potent literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God's declaration, "I will go and return to my place," attributing human actions of movement and spatial presence to God, making His withdrawal tangible and comprehensible. The phrase "seek my face" is a powerful **metaphor** or **idiom**, representing the earnest pursuit of God's presence, favor, and intimate relationship, rather than a literal search for His physical countenance. The entire verse functions as a **conditional promise** or **prophetic statement**, where God's future action (return) is contingent upon Israel's response (acknowledgment of offence, seeking His face). Finally, there is a subtle **irony** or **paradox** in the final clause: the very affliction that results from God's withdrawal becomes the means by which the people are driven to seek Him, highlighting God's redemptive purpose even in judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 5:15 articulates a profound theological truth about God's disciplinary love and His unwavering desire for genuine relationship. God's withdrawal is not an act of abandonment but a calculated, painful strategy to bring His wayward people to a place of true repentance. It underscores that suffering can be a divinely ordained instrument to expose sin, humble the proud, and redirect hearts back to the only true source of life and blessing. This passage teaches that God values authentic acknowledgment of guilt and a fervent pursuit of His presence above superficial rituals or forced obedience. His ultimate goal is reconciliation, but it must be predicated on a sincere turning from sin and a heartfelt longing for Him.

* [Deuteronomy 4:29](/deuteronomy/4-29 "Seeking God in Distress")
* [Isaiah 26:16](/isaiah/26-16 "Seeking God in Trouble")
* [Lamentations 3:40](/lamentations/3-40 "Examining Our Ways and Returning to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 5:15 serves as a powerful mirror for individual believers and the church today. It challenges us to examine our own spiritual posture: are we truly acknowledging our "offence" (sin) before God, or merely regretting the consequences? Are we earnestly "seeking His face" in all circumstances, or only when affliction compels us? This verse reminds us that God's discipline, though painful, is always purposeful, aiming to draw us into deeper intimacy with Him. We are called not to wait for hardship to drive us to our knees, but to proactively and consistently seek God's presence, confess our sins, and live in humble dependence on Him. When we find ourselves in "affliction," this passage offers hope: it is precisely in such moments that God is most intent on being found by those who seek Him with all their heart. Our response to difficulty reveals the true depth of our faith and our desire for God Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be allowing "affliction" to draw you closer to Him?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to "acknowledge your offence" before God, beyond simply saying "I'm sorry"?**
* **How diligently and earnestly do you "seek God's face" in your daily life, especially when things are comfortable?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more consistent and fervent pursuit of God's presence, rather than waiting for crisis to prompt you?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for God to "return to my place"?**

Answer: When God says, "I will go and return to my place," it signifies a deliberate act of divine withdrawal. It means He is removing His active, protective, and intervening presence from His people. This is not abandonment, but a judicial and disciplinary measure. It allows the natural consequences of their sin and disobedience to unfold without His usual restraining or protecting hand. The "place" refers to His heavenly dwelling, implying that He is stepping back from direct engagement in their earthly affairs until they meet the conditions for His return. This withdrawal is intended to create a spiritual vacuum and a state of desperation that will ultimately compel them to seek Him.

**Is God's withdrawal a sign of His anger or His love?**

Answer: While God's withdrawal is a manifestation of His righteous judgment against sin, it is ultimately rooted in His loving desire for His people's repentance and restoration. It is a form of divine discipline, akin to a loving parent allowing a child to experience the painful consequences of their choices to teach them a vital lesson. The purpose is not to destroy, but to correct and refine, leading to genuine acknowledgment of sin and a heartfelt return to Him. The verse explicitly states the *purpose* of this withdrawal: "till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." This demonstrates God's redemptive intent, even in His severity. This concept is echoed in [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord disciplines those he loves").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 5:15, with its depiction of divine withdrawal and the subsequent call for repentance through affliction, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. While Israel's "offence" led to God's temporary departure, the ultimate "offence" of humanity's sin against a holy God was fully acknowledged and atoned for in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "place" where God's presence dwells fully (Colossians 2:9), and through His atoning sacrifice, the barrier of sin that caused God's withdrawal was removed. We no longer need to wait for God to "return to His place" because in Christ, God has definitively come to us, reconciling the world to Himself ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ")). Our "affliction" now, rather than prompting a desperate search for a distant God, draws us into deeper reliance on the Christ who suffered for us and is our ever-present help. We are called to "seek His face" not through a painful, uncertain quest, but by drawing near to God confidently through the blood of Jesus ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the throne of grace with confidence")). In Christ, the seeking is met with immediate finding, and the promise of His presence is eternal and unwavering ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - I am with you always")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 26:16

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them.

Deuteronomy 4:29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Deuteronomy 4:31

(For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Jeremiah 29:12

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jeremiah 29:14

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.