1. "Whenever I would heal Israel..." (1-7)

God longed to restore Ephraim, but each time he reached out to heal them, their unrepented sins were exposed. The leaders practiced deceit and robbed the people; the hearts of king and people smoldered with passion like a hot oven. The passions of intrigue, deceit and lust smolder unseen for a while; then they burst into the flames of violent acts.

2. Ephraim is like a senseless dove (8-16)

Ephraim's only hope was to repent and turn to God. But like a senseless dove, she flitted here and there, looking for help from foreign nations and committing adultery with foreign gods. Chasing sinful desires makes us senseless and easily deceived. The people wailed on their beds at night, but still did not call out to God. Their judgment was at the door. Still, God longed to forgive and heal them, if only they would come to him.