1. They will say to the mountains, "cover us!" (1-8)

For a time, Israel prospered outwardly, like a spreading vine. They built more altars and spiritual decorations, but on the inside their hearts were becoming more and more crooked. They gave false oaths and brought lawsuits against each other and fell into idolatry. So God would tear down their altars and demolish their sacred stones. At the time of God's judgment, the people would call on the mountains to fall on them and cover them. It was a preview of the final judgment to come on the world (Rev 6:16).

2. Sow righteousness (9-15)

Hosea used the analogy of plowing a field to represent the hard punishment that Ephraim had to endure. He called them to repent, breaking up the unplowed ground of their stubborn hearts, and to seek the Lord. We should not depend on our own strength to make our lives fruitful. But when we repent sincerely, we can sow seeds of righteousness, and we will bear fruits of unfailing love.