Hosea 4:17

Ephraim. Ephraim was the principal tribe of the northern kingdom, and the name was frequently applied to the entire kingdom (see on Jer. 7:15). Similarly the name Judah was applied to the southern kingdom.

Let him alone. Iniquitous folly welded Ephraim to idolatry, and so left him to an inescapable fate. The ten tribes had gone so far in idolatry that to them was made no promise of complete restoration (see PK 298). Evidently only a few scattered members of the ten tribes in exile later joined Judah to return to Palestine after the Captivity.

God does not coerce the will. He pleads with men to accept the way of life (Eze. 33:11), but leaves it with them as to “whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear” (Eze. 2:5). Those who persistently refuse to accept the offers of mercy are left to reap the fruits of their own choosing (Gen. 6:3; Ps. 81:10-16; Prov. 1:25-33; Rev. 22:11).