Hosea 6:4

¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

O Ephraim {H669}, what shall I do {H6213} unto thee? O Judah {H3063}, what shall I do {H6213} unto thee? for your goodness {H2617} is as a morning {H1242} cloud {H6051}, and as the early {H7925} dew {H2919} it goeth away {H1980}.

"Efrayim, what should I do to you? Y'hudah, what should I do to you? For your 'faithful love' is like a morning cloud, like dew that disappears quickly.

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away.

Hosea 6:4 captures a poignant lament from God over the superficial and fleeting devotion of both the northern kingdom of Israel (referred to as "Ephraim," its dominant tribe) and the southern kingdom of Judah. It serves as a divine commentary on the inconsistency and lack of genuine commitment among His people.

Context

This verse follows a passage (Hosea 6:1-3) where the people express a superficial desire to return to the Lord, uttering words of repentance but lacking true heart change. They anticipated immediate restoration, believing a mere outward turning would suffice. The prophet Hosea consistently highlights Israel's unfaithfulness, likening it to spiritual adultery, and warning of the consequences of their broken covenant with God. Their "goodness" was not rooted in genuine transformation, but rather was a temporary impulse.

Key Themes

  • Superficial Piety: The central imagery of the "morning cloud" and "early dew" vividly portrays a goodness or devotion that appears promising but quickly vanishes. It's a commitment lacking depth, endurance, and consistency.
  • Divine Disappointment: God's rhetorical question, "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?" expresses profound sorrow, frustration, and exasperation at their persistent unfaithfulness. It highlights His desire for a lasting, genuine relationship that their actions continually denied Him.
  • Covenant Unfaithfulness: The verse underscores the breakdown of the covenant relationship. Despite God's sustained efforts and patience, Israel and Judah repeatedly turned away, their supposed commitment proving unreliable and transient.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "goodness" in this verse is chesed (חֶסֶד). While often rendered as "mercy," "kindness," or "lovingkindness" elsewhere (especially when describing God's character), here it refers to the people's own loyalty, devotion, or steadfast love towards God. The irony is stark: the very quality God desires from them – a steadfast, covenantal love – is precisely what is fleeting and unreliable in their actions. This emphasizes the stark contrast with God's own unwavering chesed, which He desires from His people more than sacrifice.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to examine the sincerity and longevity of their own faith and devotion. Is our "goodness" or commitment to God merely a fleeting emotional response, or is it rooted in a deep, abiding relationship that produces consistent obedience?

God seeks genuine, consistent obedience and a heart that truly desires to follow Him, rather than outward displays of piety that quickly fade, much like the vapor of life itself. Our relationship with God should be characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness, mirroring the unwavering nature of His own love for us. This requires more than mere ritual; it demands a transformed heart, as seen in God's rejection of empty rituals in Isaiah 1:11-15.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 13:3

    Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

  • Hosea 11:8

    ¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

  • Psalms 78:34

    When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

  • Psalms 78:37

    For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

  • Matthew 13:21

    Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

  • Luke 13:7

    Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

  • Luke 13:9

    And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.

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