And they professed to be perfectly happy in their change, and to be greatly advantaged by their new gods; and that the religion of the state now was better than that of Jehovah. Thus, they made all their rulers, "glad with their lies."

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Hos. 6:1-3 Those who have gone from God by consent, and in a body drawing one another to sin, should, by consent and in a body, return to him, which will be for his glory, and their good. It will be of grea use for support under afflictions, and to encourage our repentance, to keep up good thoughts of God, and of his purposes and design concerning us. Deliverance out of trouble should be to them as lif from the dead. God will revive them: the assurance of this shoul engage them to return to him. But this seems to have a furthe reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us admire the wisdo and goodness of God, that when the prophet foretold the deliverance of the church out of her troubles, he should point out our salvation by Christ; and now these words are fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ, it confirms our faith, that this is He that should come and we are to look for no other. Here is a precious blessing promised; this is life eternal, to know God. The returns of the favour of God are secure to us as firmly as the return of the morning after a dark night. He shall come to us as the latter and former rain unto the earth, whic refreshes it, and makes it fruitful. The grace of God in Christ is bot the latter and the former rain; and by it the good work of ou fruit-bearing is begun and carried on. And as the Redeemer was raise from the grave, so will He revive the hearts and hopes of all tha trust in him. The feeblest glimpse of hope in his word, is a sure earnest of increasing light and comfort, which shall be attended with purifying, comforting grace that makes fruitful.

Hos. 6:4-11 Sometimes Israel and Judah seemed disposed to repent unde their sufferings, but their goodness vanished like the empty mornin cloud, and the early dew, and they were as vile as ever. Therefore the Lord sent awful messages by the prophets. The word of God will be the death either of the sin or of the sinner. God desired mercy rather tha sacrifice, and that knowledge of him which produces holy fear and love This exposes the folly of those who trust in outward observances, to make up for their want of love to God and man. As Adam broke the covenant of God in paradise, so Israel had broken his nationa covenant, notwithstanding all the favours they received. Judah also wa ripe for Divine judgments. May the Lord put his fear into our hearts and set up his kingdom within us, and never leave us to ourselves, no suffer us to be overcome by temptation __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew