Summary: God calls for genuine love and understanding rather than mere ritual sacrifice, lamenting the fleeting devotion of His people and promising His faithful and rejuvenating presence like the rain.
In their affliction, people will say: “Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.”
What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.