14:4 When Israel repented, the Lord promised to heal the apostasy of the Israelites that had become a fatal sickness for them (cf. 6:1). He also promised to bestow His love on them generously because then He would no longer be angry with them.
14:5 He would descend on Israel with blessing like the dew. Instead of being dry and withered (13:15) Israel would blossom like the prolific spring lily (or crocus, cf. Song of Sol. 2:2). They would become as beautiful as an olive tree that is not only attractive but the source of beneficial products (cf. Ps. 52:8; Jer. 11:16). Israel would take root and grow strong, like a cedar of Lebanon (cf. Song of Sol. 4:11).
14:6 Israel would become productive and attractive to the eye and nose, namely, totally appealing. Shoots imply stability, beauty visibility, and fragrance desirability.
14:7 Other nations would also flourish as they benefited from Israel's good influence. The Israelites would again grow grain, a mark of covenant blessing (cf. 2:21-23; Deut. 28:4, 8, 11; 30:9; Amos 9:13-15). The nation would be like a fruitful vine that produced the best wine, no longer like a scraggly vine in the wilderness (10:1).
14:8 Ephraim would repudiate her dealings with idols (cf. 2:8; 4:17; 8:4-6), and the Lord would respond with a commitment to care for her. Formerly He lay in wait (Heb. shur) for Israel like a leopard ready to pounce on her in judgment (13:7), but now He would care (Heb. shur) for her. He would be the source of her fruit, like a cypress or pine tree that bears cones.
The Israelites have not yet met these conditions for restoration, and restoration has not yet come to them. Fulfillment awaits the return of Christ to the earth and His millennial reign that will follow. Then Israel will be blessed and will become a source of blessing for all the other nations of the world, as the prophet predicted.
