Old Testament
Hosea 12
Overview
Hosea returns to indictment, charging Ephraim with feeding on wind, chasing the east wind, and multiplying lies and treaties with Assyria and Egypt. He reaches back to the patriarch Jacob, who grasped his brother's heel in the womb and wrestled with God at Bethel — a mixed legacy of striving and encounter that mirrors the nation named after him. The prophet calls Israel to imitate Jacob's better moment: "Return to your God; hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God." But the merchant-nation loves to defraud with false balances, boasting of its wealth; God who brought them from Egypt will make them dwell in tents again unless they repent.
1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep .
13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.