God hurts us in order to heal us?

In the reading of Hosea today, we find several pieces of important, but unrelated texts. It is to be expected because books of prophets are collections of oracles. One might be able to discern certain major themes running throughout the text. But these themes more likely reflect the theological stance of the interpreters rather than the true intentions of the editors of the books. The most important thing is not what themes expert interpreters have drawn out. Rather, it is what effects these words of God have in our life. What benefits does a prophecy such as, say the coming down of the new Jerusalem from heaven, have if we cannot gain any hope in times of difficulties? So, let us turn to the words of Hosea.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).
God is just. He showers us with good things when we follow His right ways. Time and again, we go astray and He punishes us to prod us back to the right track. Of course, bad things happen to the good and righteous. One may choose to resent and resign. But we can also take these sufferings as an opportunity to rid us of our own weaknesses and failings. Probably, we have done good superficially and sufferings are good times for us to grow deeper in our reliance on our God. God is faithful. He hurts us in order to heal our weaknesses.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him (Hosea 6:2).
Is this a prooftext in the Old Testament to foretell the resurrection of Jesus on the third day? Did this verse run through Jesus' mind while he was hanging on the cross? Maybe and maybe not. Whichever way we like to interpret it, this is a promise and the hope generated from this promise will carry us through our difficult times.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).
Twice, Jesus made use of this verse to teach us that there are more important things to do than offering sacrifices to God. Does God want us to offer sacrifice to show our love to Him? I am afraid offering sacrifices pleases us more than God. It makes us feel more secure because we think God is pleased with our burnt offerings. In reality, God wants something deeper from us. Mercy.
When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for mixing with the tax collectors after he called Matthew, Jesus replied with the idiom that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12). Furthermore, Jesus quoted this verse from Hosea which is missing from Mark.
Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13).
Be merciful to sinners who need God more than self-righteous people do. God rejoices when sinners repent and return to Him. The self-righteous have difficulty to recognize their own short-comings. They have a longer way to go to receive God's salvation.
Further down when the Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pluck the heads of the grain to eat on Sabbath, the Jesus in Matthew not only quoted the story of David as he did in Mark, but also quoted how the priests profane the Sabbath in defence. Again, he quoted Hosea, to show that mercy overwrites these Sabbath rites.
And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7).
We tend to live a routine life. Worse still when we focus on the letters and details, and consequently become legalistic, we forget the true spirit of the law --- mercy. Terrible things will be done instead. Instead of observing the Sabbath and other rituals to come closer to God, we will point our fingers at the failures of others in order to elevate our piety, our standing. Ritual laws are transformed into monstrous man-eating regulations. Jesus fought against such tendency by exposing its ugliness.

Dear Lord, help us in whatever we do. Draw us nearer You when we observe our spiritual obligations. Meanwhile, allow us to remember the needs of our neighbours, especially in this season of Lent. Make us good servants of Yours. Amen.