Hosea 6:3

“Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the Lord, etc.] The word “if” is not in the original text, and the passage is not conditional, but absolute; for as persons, when converted, know Christ, and not before, when he is revealed to them, and in them, as the only Saviour and Redeemer, so they continue and increase in the knowledge of him; they earnestly desire to know more of him, and eagerly pursue those means and methods by which they attain to a greater degree of it; for so the words are, “and we shall know, we shall follow on to know the Lord”f114; that grace, which has given the first measure of spiritual and experimental knowledge of him, will influence and engage them to seek…”

“know, if we follow on to know the Lord--The result of His recovered favor (Hos 6:2) will be onward growth in saving knowledge of God, as the result of perseverance in following after Him (Psa 63:8; Isa 54:13). "Then" implies the consequence of the revival in Hos 6:2. The "if" is not so much conditional, as expressive of the means which God's grace will sanctify to the full enlightenment of Israel in the knowledge of Him. As want of "knowledge of God" has been the source of all evils (Hos 4:1; Hos 5:4), so the knowledge of Him will bring with it all blessings; yea, it is "life" (Joh 17:3). This knowledge is practice, not mere theory (Jer 22:15-16). Theology is life, not science; realities,…”

“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord - Rather, “Then shall we know, shall follow on to know the Lord,” i. e., we shall not only know Him, but we shall grow continually in that knowledge. Then, in Israel, God says, “there was no knowledge of Him;” His “people was destroyed for lack of it” Hosea 4:1, Hosea 4:6. In Christ He promises, that they should have that inward knowledge of Him, ever growing, because the grace, through which it is given, ever grows, and “the depth of the riches of His wisdom and knowledge is unsearchable, passing knowledge.” We “follow on,” confessing that it is He who maketh us to follow Him, and draweth us to Him. We know, in order to follow; we follow,…”

“Know - What worship he requires. And the knowledge of God shall be to us a spring of all holy, righteous, sober conversation. Follow on - By a diligent attendance to the word, and works of God, we shall know experimentally, how holy, how good, how faithful God is. His going forth - Before his people; his gracious, faithful, holy, just, and wise providence, for his peoples good and comfort. As the morning - As sure, beautiful, grateful, and as clear as the morning; which dispels the darkness, and proclaims its own approach. As the rain - Which revives, makes it fruitful, beautifies it, and gives a new face to all. Hosea 6:4”

“we know: Hos 2:20; Isa 54:13; Jer 24:7; Mic 4:2; Joh 17:3 if: Pro 2:1-5; Mat 13:11; Joh 7:17; Act 17:11; Phi 3:13-15; Heb 3:14 his going: Sa2 23:4; Psa 19:4; Pro 4:18; Mal 4:2; Luk 1:78; Pe2 1:19; Rev 22:16 as the rain: Hos 10:12, Hos 14:5; Deu 32:2; Job 29:23; Psa 65:9, Psa 72:6; Isa 5:6, Isa 32:15, Isa 44:3; Eze 36:25; Joe 2:23, Joe 2:24; Mic 5:7; Zac 10:1 Hosea 6:4”