He is the Keeper of the covenant which they had disregarded.
2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
Take with you words... and say...-
"Divine love provides fitting words for the truly repentant tongue." [GWms]
There is no work that they can do to make things right. Salvation cannot be merited through ritual and sacraments.
petition for forgiveness and cleansing from sin, on the principle of grace (v.2).
take away all iniquity.-
They pray, not only for pardon for their guilt, but also for purging of every trace of evil within them. Only the LORD can accomplish this cleansing, for the fleshly nature is innately sinful. Psa 51:1-10; Jer 31:18; Joh 1:29; Titus 2:14
and receive us graciously {or, "and give good" [YLT]}.-
Salvation from sin, which is granted by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10), also purges and purifies the sinner, imparting a new nature which is right, pure, and pleasing to God (thus, preventing any return to fleshly corruption). Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:25-27; 2Cor 5:17
veneration of the LORD, from hearts saved by His grace.-
'So, will we render {HB=shalam, fulfill, repay, make good, make complete}...'-
Because their hearts had been far from Him, they had broken their covenant with the LORD (eg., Hos 11:7; 13:2,12). But now, with the new hearts which He would graciously give them, they would fulfill their responsibilities toward Him, and give Him the honor due His name (Psa 56:12,13).
'So, will we render the calves {ie., sacrifices} of our lips.' -
They will bring the sacrifice of praise (Psa 69:30,31), for all that He is, and for all that He has done to redeem them from sin and death (Hos 13:14).
'The sacrifice of praise' is offered by 'believer-priests' who are identified with the One who has purged our sin, with His own blood. See Heb 13:11-15; 1Pet 2:5,9; Psa 22:22-27 (In this Psalm of the crucfixion, the crucified and risen Savior leads the redeemed in praise.)
Hearts, changed by God's grace, are moved to give Him sacrifices of devotion, which encompass not only what we say, but also who we are... involving not only our lips, but also every aspect of our lives (Rom 12:1,2).
repudiation of false gods and of vain confidences in fleshly helpers (v.3).-
Asshur, the second son of Shem, was the progenitor of the peoples who populated Assyria and the surrounding region. Here, Israel acknowledges that no earthly power, neither Assyria, nor their own military might, can save them. Hos 13:4; Psa 20:6-9
...for in thee the fatherless finds mercy.-
'Fatherless' orphans have neither provider nor protector. Psa 68:4-6
This takes us back to the beginning of Hosea.
Lo-Ruhammah {'Unpitied'} is embraced by God's Mercy.
4. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
The LORD will graciously answer Israel's prayer, in that day, when they confess their sin and ask Him to change their hearts.
Their transformation will be accomplished, neither by their words nor works, but by the LORD's grace alone.
I will heal their backsliding...-
The word 'heal' {HB= rapha'} is applied elsewhere to curing disease, mending that which is torn, and restoring that which is ruined. Israel had destroyed itself through apostasy (Hos 11:7; 13:9). When the LORD gives them hearts to serve Him, He will restore the nation to the land and to the purposes that He designed for them. Hos 6:1; Jer 17:13,14; 30:17
I will love them freely {ie., voluntarily, without a cause} for mine anger is turned away from him...-
Israel's sin had separated them from the LORD. Their sin had precipitated His anger against them. But when sin is put away, there remains no cause for judgment, and He is free to draw them to Himself.
The love He shows to them is also free, because it is unmerited (there is nothing in them to cause His love). They were bound in sin and powerless to purge it from themselves. He, in love and grace, will take away their sin. Isa 12:1-3; 53:6-8; Joh 1:29; Rom 3:23-26; Zech 13:1; Heb 10:14-22
I will be as the dew unto Israel...-
The desert floor is parched during the heat of the day, but in the morning it is watered by a refreshing dew. So, in that day, the LORD Himself will be the source of refreshment and blessing for Israel. This will have its fulfillment during the Millennial reign of the Messiah. Prov 19:12; 2Sam 23:3-5; Isa 26:19; Psa 72:6-8
I will... he shall...- Note the change of pronoun, in v.5-7.
The glory of the Holy One will rest upon Israel, when He dwells among them in the Messianic kingdom (Isa 2:1-5; 55:5).
Therefore, Israel will...
flourish like a lily...-
Because the Messiah's beauty will rest upon them. Isa 28:5; 33:17; 61:3
be rooted like Lebanon...-
Lebanon was known for its cedar forests and for vibrant vegetation.
So here, the LORD promises that He will re-plant and re-establish Israel in her land. 2Kin 19:30; Isa 27:6; 35:1,2
spread his branches...-
Israel will overshadow the nations, as she did under kings David and Solomon, prior to her fall under Gentile dominion. Psa 80:8-11; Mic 4:1-8
have 'beauty' {HB=howd, splendor, majesty, vigor} as the olive tree...-
The olive tree is known for fruitfulness. In contrast to the former unfruitfulness of Ephraim, when Israel was engaged in spiritual adultery (Hos 10:1), her renewed relationship with the LORD will make her productive, in ways that glorify Him. Psa 52:8; 128:3
have the fragrance of Lebanon.-
Because of their close association with their Savior, they will be imbued with His fragrance. Song 4:11; 2Cor 2:14-16
7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof [shall be] as the wine of Lebanon.
They that dwell under his {ie., Israel's} shadow...-
In this verse, some Bible translations apply 'his' to the LORD {eg., 'His shadow' [NASB]; 'My shadow' [ESV]}. This is appropriate because the LORD is ruler over all, and in the Messianic Kingdom, Christ will reign over the whole earth, from Jerusalem. However, when the third person pronoun is applied consistently, in v.5-7, 'his' refers to Israel in v.7, also. There is no need to argue this distinction, because in that day, the glory of the LORD will be so fully reflected in His people, that He will refer to them as "Israel my glory" (Isa 46:13). Therefore, in this discussion, we will assume that 'his', in v.7, refers to Israel.
Here, 'they' refers to the gentile nations, which will dwell under the shadow of Israel's spreading branches (v.5,6). Under the reign of their King, Israel will be healed and restored to the position which God originally intended for them (Deu 28:1,9-13; Mic 4:1-8), and all nations will be blessed. Psa 72:8-15 (See the whole Psalm.)
they... shall return...- ie., They (the nations) will also be restored to their rightful place.
The time of gentile world dominion will have ended.
The gentile nations will submit to the order which God has established.
Israel will not be reckoned among the nations. Num 23:9
Israel will again be the head above the nations. Deu 28:1; Mic 4:6-8
they... shall revive... and grow... as the corn... as the vine...-
The time of Jacob's Trouble will bring earth's population to the brink of extinction. The return of Israel's Messiah, and the establishment of His Kingdom, will restore life and fruitfulness to this sin devastated world (Mal 4:1-3; Isa 61:9-11). From Israel's King, righteousness will overflow to all nations (Jer 23:5,6), as it does now, to those who trust in Him (Rom 10:1-13; 11:11-15,25-32).
The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.-
The scent of what? Of the tree, rooted and spreading its branches (v.5,6). At the present time, the fragrance of Israel is not pleasing to most gentile nations. But in that day, the nations will have a new appreciation for her (Zech 8:13).
The words 'smell' (in v.6) and 'scent' (in v.7) are different. 'Scent' {HB=zeker} is usually translated 'memorial.' The first occurrence of this word is associated with the name of Israel's God (Ex 3:15). Thus, in that day, the gentile nations, seeing that the LORD has fulfilled His covenant toward Israel, will recognize Him as the only true God, and will see His people in the light of who He is. Isa 55:5; 60:9; Eze 36:33-38 In that day, Israel also will know the LORD.
8. Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Verse 8 is a conversation between Israel and the LORD (their Messiah and King), in that future day:
Ephraim shall say: What have I to do with idols?
These words express the essence of their prayer of repentance, in v.2,3.
The LORD speaks: I have heard {HB='anah, answered}, and observed him.
In response to their repudiation of idols and turning to the LORD alone, He will answer with blessings. When they were in idolatry, He 'observed' {HB=shoor, watched carefully, was attentive} to destroy them (Hos 13:7). But now, He carefully watches to ensure their restoration (Hos 2:20-23, where 'hear' {HB='anah, answer} occurs 5x).
Ephraim speaks: I am like a green fir tree.
No longer under the deadly effects of sin (Hos 9:16,17), Israel will rejoice in her new vitality (Isa 55:11-13).
The LORD speaks: From me is thy fruit found.
Lest they be puffed up with pride, the LORD reminds His people that their fruitfulness flows only from their relationship with Him (John 1:16-18; 15:5).
9 Who [is] wise, and he shall understand these [things]? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD [are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall {stumble} therein.
Who is wise...? -
The bulk of the LORD's prophetic message, delivered by Hosea, was directed to Israel as a nation, which refused to hear God's Word. Here, His closing words are directed to individuals. Even as the nation stumbles in unbelief toward judgment, the LORD continues to offer salvation to 'whosoever will' believe His Word. Isa 55:6,7; Dan 12:10; 1Cor 1:18-25
In the latter days, when the Messiah returns, He will restore the nation (v.4,5). Yet, in the meantime, His invitation is open to those who have ears to hear. Mat 11:28-30; Rom 3:19-30; Rev 22:17
Those who are wise will seek to get in step with Him. Psa 119:75-77 To that end, God's way of salvation is the believer's firm foundation, but the unbeliever's stumbling stone. Isa 8:13-17; Luk 2:25-35; Rom 9:30-33; 1Pet 2:7,8