Episode Details

Most people are sorry about consequences. Far fewer are sorry about sin. That is the difference between regret and repentance. God tells his people exactly what to bring when they return:

"Take with you words and return to the LORD."

Notice what God doesn't ask for. He doesn't ask for excuses, explanations, or a defense. He asks for honesty and integrity of word and deed. That is where real repentance begins.

It begins when we finally confess, "I was wrong."

Repentance owns what we have done. That is exactly what Israel does here. They confess their sin. Then they identify their false saviors, mainly Assyria. They finally admit what Hosea has been exposing for fourteen chapters. They were trusting the wrong things.

And then they say something important that is also a component of repentance:

"We will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands."

That is repentance. Not merely confessing sin. Turning from the things you thought would save you. And that may be the harder part. Because many people are willing to admit failure. Even publicly confess it. Fewer are willing to admit their saviors failed them and that they need to fully trust God.

Real repentance happens when you stop trusting things (like success) to do what only God can do.

And notice, God tells them to "bring" or "take with you words."

In other words, bring an honest confession, prayer, and return. Which means you do not need to have everything figured out today. You simply need to stop pretending.