Hosea 14
Verse 1
O Israel, 1 return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
He exhorts them to repentance to avoid all these plagues, exhorting them to declare by words their obedience and repentance.
Verse 2
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, 1 Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our 2 lips.
He shows them that they ought to confess their sins.
Declaring that this is the true sacrifice that the faithful can offer, even thanks and praise;
Verse 3
Asshur shall 1 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.
We will forsake all vain confidence and pride.
Verse 4
1 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
He declares how ready God is to receive those that do repent.
Verse 7
They that dwell under his 1 shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Whoever unites themselves to this people will be blessed.
Verse 8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I 1 have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
God shows how prompt he is to hear his own when they repent, and to offer himself as a protection and safeguard for them, as a most sufficient fruit and benefit.
Verse 9
Who is 1 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 therein.
Signifying that the true wisdom and knowledge consists in this, even to rest upon God.