Hosea 6: relationship instead of religion

The gods demmand sacrifice to get something that we want. The Lord wants me because He (in his kindness) loves me. The people of Israel were treating the Lord like other gods, but it is not what the Lord wants.

4-7
“What am I to do with you, Ephraim?
    What do I make of you, Judah?
Your declarations of love last no longer
    than morning mist and predawn dew.
That’s why I use prophets to shake you to attention,
    why my words cut you to the quick:
To wake you up to my judgment
    blazing like light.
I’m after love that lasts, not more religion.
    I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.
You broke the covenant—just like Adam!
    You broke faith with me—ungrateful wretches!