For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Sacrifices were divinely appointed and pointed to Christ, yet in comparison with moral duties God did not will or delight in them. He wills mercy far more: both His own mercy to sinners and our mercy to one another. He takes pleasure in showing mercy Himself through the throne of grace, in the pardon of sin, in regeneration.
AI summary
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (f) He shows to what his doctrine was aimed at, that they should unite the obedience of God, and the love of their neighbour, with outward sacrifices.
Their goodness vanishes like morning mist and early dew, they were unstable, unsteady as water. God asks what He can do with them not from perplexity but to show how absurd and unreasonable they were. He had tried every method; He was loath to extremity; but what else could He do when He could not in honour save them?
AI summary
Commenting on Hosea 6:4-11