This is undoubtedly related to Israel returning to and seeking God (see Hosea 7:10), together with the Davidic or messianic king. Furthermore, they will come to his goodness.
Thus, this fear
is not the same as them being afraid. Throughout Hosea 3 it has become apparent that God will bear the cost in loving his wayward people, and that judgment will—in God’s grace only—be temporal. That being said, similarly to Proverbs 1:1–7 or Psalm 19:9, there is an appropriate reverence toward God. This reverence or fear
is accentuated by the painful consequences of covenant disobedience, which Israel were about to suffer in exile (Hosea 3:4).
The picture is one of Israel enjoying the goodness of God while expressing unceasing reverence toward him, having been both refined by God’s judgment and reassured of his covenant promises.1 God does not cease to be God, even though he is gracious in bearing the cost of loving Israel. Israel’s impending exile would be a stinging reminder of the necessity of loving obedience to God, his king, and the covenant.
5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.