v1: As in 5.14, the Lord has torn the people to pieces. But the promise here is that He will heal, bind up, revive, and raise up His people. Such is His faithfulness; we can turn back and repent because He is faithful.

v2: There is a look forward to the one who will restore on the third day; for Christ rose again after three days. Through Him we may live forever in His presence.

v3: In response, the command is clear; acknowledge Him, and press on to acknowledge Him. The blessing of God is likened to winter and spring rains. In 4.1, the people had failed to acknowledge their God; but His faithfulness remained even during their rebellion. We can have confidence in God and His character, ‘as surely as the sun rises.’

v4: The faithfulness of both Ephraim (Israel) and Judah is likened to morning dew and mist; so different from God's eternal faithfulness, and unbroken promises.

v5: The prophets are the tools in God's hands, bringing judgment to an unfaithful people.

v6: Sacrifice and burnt offerings are futile without devotion and obedience; a repeated theme in the prophets, 1 Sam 15.22-23; Matt 12.7. The prophet shows that God's heart was never to do with ritual and sacrifice, but with love and devotion.

v7: The natural man, Adam, transgressed the covenant of God, dealing treacherously with Him.  This image is similar to that of Gomer the unfaithful wife (chapters 1 and 2).

v8-10: The prophet picks out examples of sin within Israel. It seems he could select many more.

He starts in Gilead, now a city of wicked men; Shechem is described similarly. Even the priests are guilty of murder, like Eli's sons who sinned even at the place of worship.

v11: A warning to Judah, who witnessed all this. There is a day of harvest also if she remains unfaithful.