Chapter 14 is a lovely close for this remarkable book. “O Israel, return!” True repentance is foreseen in verses 2-3; what a change from the state which required their God to say “No more mercy”, and “not My people” (chapter 1)!
Verses 4-7 tell of the profound depth of God’s grace which will be seen in the restoration of Israel in the coming day. Then shall Ephraim say, “What have I to do any more with idols?” (Compare chapter 4:17).
This word of Ephraim’s, yet to be spoken, draws forth the comment of their God,— “I have heard him, and observed him.” Then we hear the Ephraim to be speaking again,— “I am like a green fir tree,”—symbol of the unfailing beauty of Israel in the Millennium; and God responds ‘From Me is thy fruit found’, for there will be fruit for God in that day in the ways of His earthly people.
The last verse (verse 9) is a comment on the whole of Hosea’s prophecy. They that are wise will understand, and the just shall walk in the ways of Jehovah, but the transgressors shall fall therein.
“Hosea” means “deliverance”, and his brief prophecy has exposed the wickedness of the human heart and revealed the astonishing depths of divine grace to meet man’s dire need. No other book of the Bible surpasses Hosea in passionate pleadings to lost, ruined man to give heed to God who must deal in judgment unless there be true repentance.