During the 8th century BC, the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) had abandoned God and given their allegiance to idols; had trusted foreign powers (Assyria, Egypt) to keep them safe; and had pursued their military ways (riding on horses). Facing a dismal future, Hosea stepped in, and strongly encouraged the people to return to God. He taught them how to pray the penitential prayer of confession and renunciation, and to declare their total submission to God. He prophesied that God would heal them (giving them salvation), love them (compassionately in their helpless state as orphans), and would turn His anger from them (granting them divine forgiveness). And more than that, God would bless them immensely. Thus, Hosea prophesied that when they return to God, God would ‘‘fall like dew'' on them, and Israel would be the best like that in nature … Israel would bloom, flourish, and be fruitful in all that she undertakes because God would hear her prayer, care for her, and be to her "like a cypress ever green."

Have we felt, from time to time, the weight of our own sinfulness? Do not wait and be drowned by our misery. Return to God at once. Like King David's prayer in Psalm 51, we can ask God for mercy; appeal to God's compassion; beg God to wash, cleanse and purify us from our sin. God is ever ready to grant us a pure heart, a steadfast spirit, His help, and whatever else that is needed.