Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 4

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Hos. 6:4

O Ephraim, what... Here ends the supposed language of the penitents. If it were genuine, and accompanied by a deep sense of sin, it would not be in vain. But the prophet utters the heartrending response and expostulation of Jehovah, who bewails the transitory nature of their repentance.

what shall I... Questions 1-2. Next, Hos. 8:5.

for your goodness... Your goodness flees away as a morning cloud, and as the early dew which quickly goes away when the sun comes up; it is short-lived and transient. Your goodness is of a short continuance, and gives way to every temptation, like as the cloud of the morning, and the dew, are dispersed at the first approach of the sun.

Ephraim, Judah, and in fact, all of mankind have no goodness of their very own. We all deserve to die, because of the sins we have committed. It is only by the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, that any of us are saved. God is merciful.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God provided the way for us, that we could not provide for ourselves. We may act good for a moment, but our goodness goes away like the dew. Our righteousness is in Jesus Christ. He puts us who will believe in right standing with God.

The Lord’s case against Israel expanded

The Lord’s case against Israel is greatly expanded in these chapters. Emphasis is placed on the nation’s guilt, especially for her ingratitude. As in the preceding section (cf. 5:15-6:3), judgment changes to restoration by the end of the unit (cf. Hos. 11:8-11). Each of the sub-units is marked out formally by an introductory direct address (cf. Hos. 6:4; 9:1; 11:8). Both of the judgment cycles (6:4-8:14; 9:1-11:7) refer to a return to Egypt (cf. Hos. 8:13; 11:5) in their conclusions, while the brief salvation passage (Hos. 11:8-11) pictures God’s people returning from that land (cf. Hos. 11:11).

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

This first judgment cycle contains two parts (6:4-7:16; Hos. 8:1-14). Both refer to a breach of covenant in their opening verses (Hos. 6:7; 8:1) and mention Egypt near the end (Hos. 7:16; 8:13).

Israel’s ingratitude punished

These verses are primarily accusatory, though judgment is announced formally in the closing passage (cf. Hos. 7:12-13, 7:16). The Lord’s attempts to restore His people contrast with their rebellion. The references to the Lord’s gracious disposition toward the nation introduce the sub-units of the section (cf. Hos. 6:4-11; 6:11b-7:12; Hos. 7:13-16).

The first sub-unit

The Lord’s argument here begins with a rhetorical question addressed both to Ephraim and Judah. The mood is one of despair and frustration. God’s people had rejected all His attempts to bring them to their senses. Their love (ḥeseḏ; cf. Hos. 2:19; 4:1) for the Lord was at best transitory (Hos. 6:4). Like the early morning fog or dew, any expression of loyalty quickly evaporated.