Hosea 12

Hosea 12 begins by condemning Ephraim for its reliance on foreign alliances and increasing deceit, while also declaring the LORD's controversy with Judah. The chapter recalls Jacob's struggle with God as a historical precedent for divine interaction. It then calls for Israel to return to God, practicing mercy and judgment. Despite Ephraim's self-proclaimed righteousness and wealth, the LORD reminds them of His past deliverance and guidance through prophets, warning of impending judgment for their bitter provocation.

The chapter opens with a strong rebuke of Ephraim, who is depicted as feeding on wind, pursuing the east wind, and daily increasing lies and desolation through covenants with Assyria and seeking aid from Egypt. The LORD also declares a controversy with Judah, promising to punish Jacob according to his ways and recompense his doings. A historical reference is made to Jacob's early life, recalling how he took his brother by the heel in the womb and later, by strength, prevailed with God and an angel at Bethel through weeping and supplication. This serves as a foundation for the command to turn to God, keep mercy and judgment, and wait continually upon Him. However, Ephraim is described as a deceitful merchant who loves to oppress, yet boasts of wealth and claims no iniquity. The LORD reminds them of His identity as their God from Egypt, promising to make them dwell in tabernacles again, and emphasizes His consistent communication through prophets, visions, and similitudes. The chapter concludes by highlighting the iniquity in Gilead and the vain sacrifices in Gilgal, reiterating God's past deliverance of Israel from Egypt by a prophet, and warning that Ephraim's bitter provocation will result in divine retribution.

Hosea 12 commences with a severe indictment against Ephraim, portraying them as engaging in futile pursuits, likened to feeding on wind and following the destructive east wind. They are accused of daily increasing lies and desolation, exemplified by their unholy covenant with Assyria and their practice of carrying oil into Egypt for aid. The LORD also announces a controversy with Judah, declaring His intent to punish Jacob according to his ways and recompense him for his doings. To underscore God's historical relationship with Israel, the prophet recounts the story of Jacob, who took his brother by the heel in the womb and later, through his strength, wrestled with God. This powerful encounter with an angel at Bethel, where Jacob wept and made supplication, resulted in his prevailing with God, who is identified as the LORD God of hosts, whose memorial is His name. This historical narrative serves as a basis for the imperative command for Israel to turn to their God, to diligently keep mercy and judgment, and to wait upon Him continually. However, the chapter then contrasts this divine call with Ephraim's current state, describing them as a merchant with balances of deceit in his hand, loving to oppress. Despite this, Ephraim proudly asserts his newfound wealth and claims to be free from sin in all his labours. The LORD then reminds them of His enduring identity as their God from the land of Egypt, promising to make them dwell in tabernacles once more, reminiscent of the days of solemn feasts. He further emphasizes His consistent communication, stating that He has spoken by prophets, multiplied visions, and used similitudes through their ministry. The prophet then questions the iniquity in Gilead, declaring their practices as vanity, and condemning their sacrifices of bullocks in Gilgal, where their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the fields. The chapter concludes by reiterating God's historical faithfulness, recalling how Jacob fled into Syria and served for a wife, and how the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt and preserved them by a prophet. Ultimately, Ephraim is condemned for provoking the LORD to anger most bitterly, and it is declared that He shall leave his blood upon him, and his Lord shall return his reproach unto him.