14:1 Hosea appealed to Israel to return to Yahweh her God because her iniquities had caused her to stumble in her history as a nation. We know from Israel's history that Hosea's generation of Israelites did not repent, but still God's invitation was open and genuine.
14:2 The prophet counseled the people to return to the Lord with words (not animal sacrifices) that expressed their repentance. They should acknowledge their sins and request His removal of their iniquity (cf. 1 John 1:9). They should also ask Him to receive them graciously with a view to their praising Him with their lips (not offerings).
14:3 They should renounce confidence in Assyria (a synecdoche for political alliances) and war horses (military might) for their security and victory. They should also promise not to call their hand-made idols their gods (heterodox worship). And they should acknowledge that only from Him could vulnerable, dependent orphans such as themselves find mercy. They were orphans in that they had no other means of deliverance and support.
