4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim ? What shall I do with you, O Judah ? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud And like the dew which goes away early . 5 Therefore e I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets ; I have slain them by the words of My mouth ; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth . 6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice , And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings . 7 But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant ; There they have dealt treacherously against Me. 8 Gilead is a city of wrongdoers , Tracked with bloody footprints. 9 And as raiders wait for a man , So a band of priests murder on the way to Shechem ; Surely they have committed crime . 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing ; Ephraim's harlotry is there , Israel has defiled itself. 11 Also , O Judah , there is a harvest appointed for you, When I restore the fortunes of My people .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 6:4-11
Commentary on Hosea 6:4-11
(Read Hosea 6:4-11)
Sometimes Israel and Judah seemed disposed to repent under their sufferings, but their goodness vanished like the empty morning cloud, and the early dew, and they were as vile as ever. Therefore the Lord sent awful messages by the prophets. The word of God will be the death either of the sin or of the sinner. God desired mercy rather than sacrifice, and that knowledge of him which produces holy fear and love. This exposes the folly of those who trust in outward observances, to make up for their want of love to God and man. As Adam broke the covenant of God in paradise, so Israel had broken his national covenant, notwithstanding all the favours they received. Judah also was ripe for Divine judgments. May the Lord put his fear into our hearts, and set up his kingdom within us, and never leave us to ourselves, nor suffer us to be overcome by temptation.