Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Tribes of Israel in the final days before their capture. Quite possibly, their capital city of Samaria had already fallen into the hands of the Assyrians. God used his prophet to help his people understand why he was no longer able to bless and protect them.

Hosea 4:6 is a powerful verse that speaks truth to every generation. God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” When people don’t know God, they don’t have his wisdom and don’t live in ways that please him. Many in the Northern Tribes of Israel had stopped caring about what pleased God and had begun to do whatever was pleasing to themselves or others.

God’s heart is clear in his word to Hosea. God told the prophet, “I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). The people of ancient Israel would have said they “loved” God, but they also had affection for the false gods the culture enjoyed. Those same people would have said they had “pleased God” because they had gone to the temple and made the sacrifices for their sins that the Law required. But they also made sacrifices to the popular gods of the culture as well.

God made clear that it was “steadfast” love that he desired. God wanted the people to know him and walk with him, not just perform an act of worship that was only an act. God wanted those things because he loved them and knew what was best for their lives. The people didn’t want to know him as the one, almighty God. They gave only what they wanted to give, and their works fell short. We can’t please God without devoted love and obedience to his word.

Wisdom is pleasing God. Steadfast love for God is what produces our acts of obedience and devotion. Wisdom is knowing God in deep and profound ways and desiring to live a life he is able to bless.