Mercy

Mercy means we believe in redemption. We do not judge by the law. God’s very nature is one of forgiveness and love to transform our inner nature and the inner nature of others. Love must have a chance to work. Harshness is not the way of God. God’s heart is seen in His dealings with Hosea. He leaves some in their sin and brings others out by mercy.

God called Hosea to take for his wife a prostitute (Hos 3:1-2). This pictured God’s redemption of Israel. Though they prostituted themselves against God, He did not cast them off, but redeemed His elect from among them in mercy. This is how God dealt with our iniquity:

Therefore, behold, I will allure her…and I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in loving-kindness and in mercies…For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king…afterwards shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days. (Hos 2:14, 19, 3:4-5).
This is how Jesus dealt with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11).

The latter days refers to the latter days of the nation of Israel, still over 500 years away when Hosea spoke. It refers to the coming of Messiah to redeem Israel into the New Covenant, along with the Gentiles whom God called. It is speaking of the church, not a national salvation of Israel. From the context it is clear that he is speaking of the coming of redemption through Jesus Christ, the Son of David.