Hosea 6:3,4

Righteousness must be continual Hosea 6:3-4: God caused both Israel (Ephraim) and Judah to think of their sad spiritual condition by asking “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? He wanted them to be fully aware of the punishment they deserved because of their transgressions. Their faithfulness or goodness was like to morning cloud or it was like the dew on the ground in the early morning. Their righteous was there for a short time and then quickly gone away. They had forgotten that God expected, desired and deserved continual righteousness.

God had sent his prophets to shape and mold Israel spiritually by His word. The word of His mouth is the tool that He uses even this day, to shape men for eternity. God's word is like a fire that burns the impurities from our life. It is also like a hammer to mold and shape us into the likeness of the Almighty. Jeremiah said, “Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) It is by the word of God that His judgments go forth as the light.