Hashem Rebukes Hoshea HaNavi
When Hoshea suggests that Hashem exchange Klal Yisrael for another nation, Hashem rebukes him: a father never trades his children. Hoshea then prays for them.
The Gemara (Pesachim 87b) records a conversation that Hashem had with Hoshea HaNavi that is not mentioned at all in Tanach. Tosfos and Rashi both explain, however, how this conversation is alluded to in the verses. Hashem told Hoshea that Bnei Yisrael had sinned, in order to evoke a proper response from him. Hoshea replied that everything was under Hashem’s control; if Hashem wished, he could exchange Klal Yisrael for another nation. Hashem was not pleased with this answer and rebuked Hoshea. Hashem loves us like children. Just as a father cannot switch his child for a different one, Hashem would never switch us for a different nation. Hashem reprimanded Hoshea that instead of speaking ill about Klal Yisrael, he should have prayed for them to be forgiven. Hoshea accepted this rebuke and successfully prayed for the sins of Bnei Yisrael to be absolved.