Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 14:8

8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols ? I have heard him, and observed him : I am like a green fir-tree , from me is thy fruit found .

Not the whole Body of Ephraim, but converted Ephraim those who ver. 1, 2. were sensible of sin, confessed it, and sued for pardon;

i. e. I have no more to do with them, nor ever will; they have been, first, my sin, and next my sorrows; and my sorrows have been multiplyed by hasting after other Gods; I will no more do so, and with detestation against Idols doth Ephraim speak as the question implyeth.

Some refer these words to Ephraim, owning what he had found, and observed in God; what Grace, and Mercy in pardon, deliverance from miseries, and comfortable revival of his State: Others refer it to God, and make it a gracious promise from God of hearing Prayers, and taking especial care of converted Ephraim, either way suits the words and matter▪ and I leave it to your choice.

These words also as the former are either Israels giving praise to God, who had on Israels return changed his Dead, withered state into a flourishing, lovely, and beautiful state; others say 'tis God's Promise to be to Ephraim as such a tree is to a weary Traveller, who may with delight and safety sit under the shadow of it. A tree say some, that grows with very thick boughs, that rain, or heat pierceth not, and whose smell drives away wild beasts; so there is safety and refreshment under the protection of the Lord, under his shadow.

This also is differently interpreted, Israel confe[illegible: 1 letter]seth that the fruit of Gods grace is seen from what Israel now is, and doth; others say, God promiseth the fruits of comfort Israel enjoyes▪ and still shall enjoy from God, and his Grace toward Israel: I determine neither, but sure I am, such is the correspondence of Gods grace to the converted, that they cannot more readily acknowledge what God hath done for them, nor more readily engage to do what God adviseth and requireth, then God is ready to encourage them by gracious, and rich, and suitable promises.