Hosea 5:6

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find [him]; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

They shall go {H3212} with their flocks {H6629} and with their herds {H1241} to seek {H1245} the LORD {H3068}; but they shall not find {H4672} him; he hath withdrawn {H2502} himself from them.

With their flocks and herds they will go in search of ADONAI. But they won't find him; he has withdrawn from them.

They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah; but they shall not find him: he hath withdrawn himself from them.

Hosea 5:6 describes a tragic consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness: their attempts to seek the Lord will be futile because He has withdrawn His presence from them. This verse highlights the severe spiritual judgment upon a people who have forsaken their covenant with God.

Context

The prophet Hosea primarily addresses the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim), condemning their idolatry, spiritual harlotry, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on the Lord. Prior to this verse, Hosea has pronounced judgment on the priests, the people, and the royal house for their moral and spiritual corruption. The "seeking" mentioned in verse 6 is not a genuine, repentant turning to God, but likely a desperate, ritualistic act performed only after calamity has struck, or a superficial observance of religious rites without true devotion. They bring their sacrifices (flocks and herds), but their hearts are far from the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Withdrawal: The central message is God's active withdrawal of His favor and presence as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. This is a severe form of judgment, signifying a broken relationship.
  • Superficial Seeking: The verse illustrates the futility of religious acts without a corresponding heart of repentance and genuine devotion. Bringing sacrifices (flocks and herds) was a common way to approach God in the Old Testament, but it was meaningless if the heart was not right.
  • Spiritual Barrenness: When God withdraws, spiritual life becomes barren. Despite their efforts, they "shall not find him," indicating a lack of communion, guidance, and blessing from God.
  • Consequences of Covenant Breaking: This withdrawal is a direct result of Israel's continuous breaking of their covenant with the Lord, as detailed throughout Hosea's prophecy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he hath withdrawn himself" comes from the Hebrew word châlats (חָלַץ), which can mean "to draw out," "to pull off," or "to deliver." In this context, it conveys the idea of God actively removing Himself or His presence from them. It's not that God is hard to find, but that He has intentionally distanced Himself due to their rebellion, making Himself inaccessible to their superficial efforts. This is a divine action, not merely a passive absence.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God withdrawing His presence or "hiding His face" due to sin is a recurring theme in Scripture. For instance, Deuteronomy 31:17 warns that the Lord will hide His face from His people if they forsake Him. Isaiah 59:2 clearly states, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." This contrasts sharply with promises that God will be found by those who seek Him with all their heart, as seen in Jeremiah 29:13.

Practical Application

Hosea 5:6 serves as a powerful warning for all generations. It underscores the critical importance of genuine, heartfelt repentance and seeking God with sincerity, not just through outward religious observances. When our worship, prayers, or religious activities become mere rituals devoid of true devotion and obedience, we risk God withdrawing His active presence and blessing. This verse calls us to examine our hearts and ensure our pursuit of God is born out of a desire for a living relationship, rather than a desperate attempt to appease Him after a season of disobedience. God desires a relationship built on truth and love, not just empty religious motions.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 1:28

    Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

  • John 7:34

    Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come.

  • Micah 6:6

    ¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

  • Micah 6:7

    Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

  • Ezekiel 8:6

    He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

  • Isaiah 1:11

    To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

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