Hos 14.1-9 tells us about certain promises to those who repent and turn to Yehovah.
v 1…Return (shuvah) O Israel, to the Lord (Yehovah) your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity (but it is possible to repent).
v 2…Take words (of confession with heart) with you (not empty-handed) and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Take away all iniquity (renouncing earthly help and relying only on the mercy of God), and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips (literally “we will render as bullocks our lips”; in Psa 69.30-31; Psa 141.2 and Heb 13.15 bulls are symbolized as deep repentance because its blood was sprinkled in the Kodesh Ha Kodeshim or Holy of Holies, and the Ha Kodesh or Holy Place; this means repentance that penetrates to the inner core of the person).
v 3…Assyria will not save us (they looked to them for help), we will not ride on horses (to seek help elsewhere), nor will we say again, ‘Our God’ to the work of our hands (idols); for in thee the orphan finds mercy (the hopeless and the helpless).”
v 4…I (the Lord answers) will heal their apostasy (all the damage which has been inflicted because of their relapses), I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them (been withdrawn).
v 5…I will be like the dew (to refresh the drooping spirit; also alludes to true teaching from the Torah-Deut 32.1-32) to Israel; he (Israel) will blossom like the lily (fruitful) and he (Israel) will take root like Lebanon (very deep foundations).
v 6…His shoots (branches) will sprout (as he nourishes and develops with life), and his beauty will be like the olive tree (with green leaves and fruit symbolic of life by the Ruach Ha Kodesh), and his fragrance like Lebanon (with its cedars and aromatic fragrances).
v 7…Those who live in his shadow (an idiom for ” in the land of Israel” or the “Messianic Kingdom” and under Yehovah’s protection, peace, and safety-Psa 91.1; it also alludes to the Garden of Eden or Gan Eden, and the Temple. Bezalel, who built the Mishkan, means “in the shadow of God”) will again raise grain (revived); and they will blossom like the vine (Israel will prosper). His renown (scent) like the wine of Lebanon (which was known to have great flavor, aroma, and medicinal benefits).
v 8…O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols (Yehovah will have nothing more to do with idols)? It is I who answer and look after you (not the idols). I am like a luxuriant cypress (forever green and alive, righteous-Ezek 17.24, 20.47; Luke 23.31), from me comes your fruit.
v 9…Whoever is wise, let him understand these things (all that Hosea has written about concerning correction, warnings, and blessings); whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right (as defined in the Torah-Psa 103.7; John 5.46-47; Isa 55.8; they are plain, straight, just, and equitable), and the righteous (by faith) will walk (why the Torah was called the way, the truth, and the life) in them (the commandments), but the transgressors (of the Torah) will stumble (fall and perish) in them.
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