1 “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
This immediately makes me think of Matthew 9:13, where Jesus quotes verse 6 of this passage. Immediately before that, though, Jesus says, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."
YHWH has torn Israel down, for they have strayed from Him. They have lusted after earthly prosperity and the gods of other nations. Yet, they are unable to see the extent of their sickness, of the disease which had taken root in the people.
Israel needed to know the depth of their sickness, if they were ever going to be healed. So, YHWH made it very clear to them, just as any good doctor would give us a diagnosis whenever we're sick.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
The "third day" language evokes a different understanding.
Jesus truly was torn and struck down, so that Israel (and now all God's people) could be healed. And because he was raised on the third day, we are raised with him.
So, you might be asking, "Is this passage about ancient Israel or Jesus?"
Well, yes. Prophecy can certainly have dual meaning; one which is a partial fulfillment in closer context to the time of its writing, as well as an eschatological fulfillment in the person of Christ.
3 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
"...press on to know the LORD" or come to Him for knowledge, wisdom, direction, or understanding.
Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Our God desires that we would seek Him. His love is consistent. He desires that we would know Him more intimately every day. When we seek Him genuinely, we can know with certainty that He will show up (like the dawn) in a substantial, undeniable way that is a blessing to us (like spring rains).
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.
So, now we have a contrasting imagery. If YHWH can be trusted to be dependable, consistent, accountable...
Then Ephraim and Judah are undependable, inconsistent, and unaccountable. Their love, their faithfulness to YHWH is fleeting. Not completely absent, but not sincere. They're a bunch of flakes.
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.
"hewn" from the Hebrew חָצַ֙בְתִּי֙, which is to "cut to pieces, or chisel, to shape with a tool"
YHWH spoke by the prophets as a form of judgment, but the prophets were sent to hew, reshape Israel for a purpose.
So, too, with us. The Word confronts us; it judges our sin. But it also hews us, molds us, and shapes us for a purpose.
Again, Israel was struck down, so that they could have true life in YHWH.
Christ -- the righteous judge -- was sent forth. He is the fulfillment of the prophets, the very Word from the mouth of God, and the Light of the world.
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Again, Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 9:13.
The ESV translates it as "steadfast love", other translations use the word "mercy". The actual Hebrew word is חֶ֥סֶד, which is lovingkindness. Particularly, the unfailing love of YHWH. Both words work, and yet, neither word conveys the depth of meaning this word conveyed to Israel.
In our pursuits of religious endeavors, or ritualistic fidelity, we often lose sight of God's heart for people. Don't miss the forest for the trees.
You can have all the trappings of Christianity, but if you do not understand and live out mercy, forgiveness, and God's love for yourself and others, then you are wasting your time.
In the midst of whatever else is going on this week, whatever things you may be chasing after, don't lose sight of your calling in faith. You are called to love God. You are called to love each other.