God would judge, but God would restore.

Israel, but not God, had broken His covenant.

Mercy withheld, then restored.

Hosea's children communicated a mixed message.

Unusual preparation for a prophet, no?

God's Word can be troubling at times.

Does the love of Christ burn and glow within us?

The Sixth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (7)

Deuteronomy 22.25-27   

²⁵ “But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. ²⁶ But you shall do nothing to the young woman; there is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter. ²⁷ For he found her in the countryside, and the betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.”

The Sixth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (6)

Exodus 21.22-25

²² “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³ But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

The Sixth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (5)

Exodus 21.12-14

¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. ¹⁴ But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.”

The Sixth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (4)

Numbers 35.16-21

¹⁶ “‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁷ And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁸ Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. ¹⁹ The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. ²⁰ If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies, ²¹ or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.’”

The Sixth Commandment: Statutes and Precepts (3)

Deuteronomy 19.11-13

¹¹“‘But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises against him and strikes him mortally, so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities, ¹² then the elders of his city shall send and bring him from there, and deliver him over to the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. ¹³ Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.’”