The third cycle of the prophecy sets forth the love which Jehovah had for His people, notwithstanding their sin. This section sets forth Jehovah's love toward His sinning people, and, for the most part, is the speech of Jehovah Himself. Thrice in the course of Jehovah's message to the people, the prophet interpolates words of his own. In studying the section it is necessary to take the words of Jehovah in sequence, and then the interpolations of the prophet in sequence also.
The message of Jehovah falls into three clearly marked movements, which deal, respectively, with the present in the light of past love, the present in the light of present love, the present in the light of future love.
In the first, Jehovah reminded the people of all His past love for them in words full of tenderness, setting their present condition in its light, and crying, "How shall I give thee up?" His own inquiry was answered by the determined declaration of the ultimate triumph of Iove and the restoration of the people.