Everyone experiences disappointment, from the student who studies hard but fails the exam, to the family who saves diligently to go on a dream holiday but suffers bad weather throughout the entire stay.

God knows disappointment too. After Israel's apology (Hosea 6:1-3), God now speaks of the frustration He feels towards Israel in verse 4: ″What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah?″ Parents would understand this feeling. There might be times we have said of our children, ″I don't know what to do with them!″

This section of Hosea (6:4-7:16) describes God's disappointment with His children. Our scriptural passage for today shows us that God is disappointed with the emptiness of Israel's worship. Notice three elements:

Firstly, she blows hot and cold. ″Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears″ (v. 4). Israel would acknowledge the Lord one minute and mean what she said at the time, but quickly forget her commitment. She would go through the phase of loving God, but it never lasted.

Secondly, she refuses to be taught. ″Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth-then my judgments go forth like the sun″ (v. 5). God repeatedly rebuked the Israelites through His prophets' words and judgements (see 1 Kings 18:21, 38-40), and Israel would be devoted to God for a while, but turn back to idolatry again.

Thirdly, she goes through the motions. ″I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings″ (Hosea 6:6). The Israelites would offer sacrifices as the law demanded, thinking that God would be on their side, but He was looking for something more. Hosea keeps using the words ″mercy″ and ″knowledge″ to speak of love and commitment. God is looking for a personal relationship that lasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Centuries later, Jesus quoted this same verse to the Pharisees and said, ″Go and learn what this means″ (Matthew 9:13).

No wonder God was disappointed with Israel. How well do these verses describe your worship of God?

Heavenly Father, I confess that so often my worship of you is superficial. I need your Spirit to change my heart. Have mercy on me, for Christ's sake, amen.