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Summary

Hosea 12:1–2 – Chasing wind and a lawsuit

What happens: Ephraim feeds on wind and multiplies lies. He makes a covenant with Assyria and sends oil to Egypt. The Lord brings a lawsuit against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways.

What it means: Worldly strategies without God are empty air. God judges lies and double-dealing. He is righteous and weighs nations and people by their deeds.

Hosea 12:3–6 – Jacob’s story and the call to return

What happens: Jacob grasps his brother’s heel and strives with God, weeping and seeking favor at Bethel. God speaks there, “The Lord, the God of hosts,” and calls them to return, keep love and justice, and wait on God continually.

What it means: Wrestling turns to worship when God meets us. The covenant God calls for loyal love and justice, not mere heritage. Persevering trust honors His faithful character.

Hosea 12:7–9 – Dishonest scales and false security

What happens: A merchant uses false balances and loves to oppress. Ephraim claims, “I am rich,” and denies guilt. God reminds them He is the Lord who brought them from Egypt and will make them dwell in tents again.

What it means: Economic sin is spiritual sin. Wealth can blind the heart to guilt, but God exposes it. He is the Redeemer who reduces pride so His people learn dependence again.

Hosea 12:10–14 – Prophets ignored, guilt stored

What happens: God speaks by prophets and uses parables. Yet Gilead is iniquity and Gilgal piles up altars. By a prophet God brought Israel from Egypt, and by a prophet he guarded them, but Ephraim provokes bitter anger. Bloodguilt remains and the Lord repays.

What it means: God is patient and clear in His warnings. Rejecting His word brings heavier judgment. He saves by His word and also measures us by our response to it.

Application

  • Stop chasing wind; choose steady trust in God’s ways.
  • Practice love and justice in business and relationships.
  • Let past encounters with God lead to present obedience.
  • Receive the prophetic word with humility and action.

Bible

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.

← Hosea 11Hosea 13 →

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