Hosea appealed to Israel to return to Yahweh her God because her iniquities had caused her to stumble in her history as a nation. We know from Israel"s history that Hosea"s generation of Israelites did not repent, but still God"s invitation was open and genuine. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Hosea 14:1-9 - "i Will Heal Their Backsliding"
The prophet here ransacks the world of nature for phrases sufficiently expressive of his transports of joy. The whole world seems laid under contribution to set forth the love of God. The gentle dew, the rich raiment of the lily, the far-reaching spurs and roots of the Lebanon range, the spreading branches of the olive, the fragrant breath of the wind which is laden with the perfume of the land, the golden corn ripe for the sickle, the scent of the vines-these are the images with which the inspired imagination of the prophet teems.
But how deeply the chapter appeals to us! The very words that returning prodigals would adopt are set down. As we return, we hear the divine voice assuring us that our backslidings shall be healed, that there is no anger and only love, and that God Himself shall be the sap of our fruit-bearing life. Our Father wants it to be clearly understood that these promises do not belong to Israel only but to all who will accept them. [source]
Chapter Summary: Hosea 14
1An exhortation to repentance 4A promise of God's blessing
What do the individual words in Hosea 14:1 mean?
And returnIsraeltoYahwehyour Godforyou have stumbledbecause of your iniquity
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, common singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עָוֹן
Sense: perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity.
What are the major concepts related to Hosea 14:1?