Hosea chapter 12
The nation’s unfaithfulness. A lesson from history. The nation’s pride.
THE NATION’S UNFAITHFULNESS
VERSE 1. Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
multiplies lies. When they lost their love for the LORD God, they became a nation of liars.
When believers fall into unfaithfulness, their unfaithfulness is expressed in immorality and social injustice.
VERSE 2. The LORD also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.
A LESSON FROM HISTORY
VERSE 3. In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.
he took his brother by the heel. Jacob’s grasping Esau’s heel foreshadowed his deception of his brother.
Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and blessing.
VERSE 4. Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
Bethel. The Hebrew word is בֵּית־אֵל (“Betheel”).
It means “house of God.”
VERSE 5. even the LORD, the God of Hosts; The LORD is his name of renown!
VERSE 6. Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
kindness and justice. Genuine repentance involve a commitment to khesed (love) and justice.
THE NATION’S PRIDE
VERSE 7. A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
VERSE 8. Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”
VERSE 9. “But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
VERSE 10. I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
I have multiplied visions. The LORD God is generous in granting visions.
Many visions.
VERSE 11. If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.
VERSE 12. Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
VERSE 13. By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
a prophet. This prophet was Moses.
VERSE 14. Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.
HOSEA
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
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