⁴ What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes early away.
⁵ Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
⁶ For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

1) Who are Ephraim and Judah?
Ephraim and Judah were two of the twelve sons of Jacob (who was later renamed Israel), and the fathers of two of the tribes of Israel. In Hosea’s time, the kingdom of Israel had split into the northern kingdom, called Israel, and the southern kingdom, called Judah. Hosea uses the name Ephraim to represent the whole northern kingdom, because it was the most prominent tribe.

2) What does the imagery about a cloud and dew tell us about their love?
A morning cloud and dew are there in the morning, but are quickly gone as the day heats up. Likewise, the Israelite’s love for God was not steadfast, as God’s love for them was permanent. They quickly forgot Him—forgot all that He was and all He had done for them—and they followed after the desires of their own sinful hearts.

3) What is the result of their lack of love?
The word “therefore” in verse 5 indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. Because the Israelite’s love was fickle, they were judged by the words of the prophets.

4) What do sacrifice and burnt offerings have to do with the judgment of Ephraim and Judah?
Many years earlier, God established the sacrificial system as a way for the Israelites to temporarily atone for their sins and to worship God. They thought that keeping these sacrifices pleased God; that it was what He desired from them. They were partially right—God is pleased with obedience. But He is most concerned with the obedience of our hearts as we choose to love Him and love others because of His love for us. Verse 6 tells us that empty rituals are not what He desires. He desires hearts that love Him and know Him. Therefore, Ephraim and Judah would be judged.

1) Who are Ephraim and Judah?
Ephraim and Judah represented the whole nation of Israel, a people whom God had chosen and set apart to worship Him, yet they were not faithful to God. Likewise, we as Christians have been chosen and set apart as God’s people (1 Peter 2:9). But we have a weapon in the fight that ancient Israel did not have—the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in each and every believer. On our own, we simply cannot love God, we are too sin-filled. BUT! By the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the powerful God-ability to love Him and others! Thank God for this incredible gift!

2) What does the imagery about a cloud and dew tell us about their love?
The Israelites’ love for God, though sincere at times, was not faithful or consistent. They so quickly forgot Him and His faithfulness to them. It is easy for us, too, to forget God, as we are so distracted by our busy lives. What safeguards and disciplines can I set up to remind myself of God’s love for me, so that my love for Him does not run cold?

3) What is the result of their lack of love?
True believers can expect discipline from God when we go astray. Hebrews 12:6 says “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he loves.” Discipline and judgment are different, however. Discipline is for God’s children, and has the goal of restoration. Judgment is punishment—it is what justice for sin requires. If you are a true believer, your sin has been paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross, and you no longer have to fear the judgment of God. Praise God!

4) What do sacrifice and burnt offerings have to do with the judgment of Ephraim and Judah?
The heart of these verses is summed up in this: God desires our hearts to love Him and know Him, much more than He desires empty rituals. Lord, give me a heart that loves You! You are the faithful God, help me to delight in You, to remember Your faithfulness, and to love You always, when I am tempted to forget You.

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

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