6:1-3
It seems from the first few verses in this chapter that Israel has indeed responded to the word of God in repentance, but it will quickly become apparent that this is not the case. The first verse calls on Israel to return to the Lord. Then the Lord would heal them. We should note that the healing and binding up spoken of here involves a restoration of the land and a healing of the soul from sin.
Verse 2 seems to have allusions to the resurrection, though it may just be an idiomatic saying. For Jesus was dead because of our sin, but after two days He was revived and raised up, and this happened that we might live in His sight.
Then the people have a desire to know the Lord, to seek His knowledge and understanding.
So how are we to take these verse? Are they a response of the nation that proved to be nothing more than skin deep? Or are we to take it as the response that God wanted them to make, the response He desires from all of us, knowing that Israel would not respond in this way. I tend to think the latter is the more likely.
6:4
Either verses 1-3 are how Ephraim should respond, or it is the way they did respond, but purely on a surface level. Thus verse would seem to imply the latter, for God laments the fickleness of Ephraim, and Judah for that matter. It is noteworthy that Ephraim and Judah are frequently lumped together, for Israel (or Ephraim) is the prime target and would be the first nation to fall, it being some time before Judah went the same way. Their supposed live is like the morning mist or early dew, it soon disappears.
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