Hosea 12:1-7
Hosea 12:1
(KJB)
Ephraim 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.
To feed on the wind and follow the east wind is
basically stating that Ephraim is seeking a futile path.
For they have sown the wind, and
they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if
so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
(Hosea 8:7) By seeking
to make alliances with the pagan nations which surrounded them was nothing more
than futility. The east wind which
is known as the Sirocco is a wind which comes from Arabia is scorching and
destructive and that is what Ephraim was facing for their disobedience to the
Lord. Ephraim is lying to
itself believing that they can stay the judgment of God on them by making
alliances with other nations like Egypt which eventually brought the Assyrians
against Israel resulting in her final destruction.
This event of the conspiracy of Hoshea is found in 2 Kings 17:1-6.
The oils which were given to Egypt were expensive oils which was partial
payment for an alliance.
Hosea 12:2
(KJB)
The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will
punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense
him.
The LORD is now bringing an indictment against Judah and
although the sins of Judah had not matched those of Israel, there is no
exemption from the consequences of sin.
Judah would eventually feel the judgment of God as they would be dealt
with by the Babylonians 135 years after Israel goes into captivity with Assyria.
The sins of Ephraim were completed and their judgment was imminent.
Hosea 12:3
(KJB)
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his
strength he had power with God:
God mentions Jacob in verse two and the birth of Jacob
and Esau when Jacob grabbed the heel of Esau coming out of the womb of Rebekah.
And after that came his brother
out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and
Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
(Genesis 25:26) Jacob
and Esau would father two different nations.
Through Jacob would come the Lord Jesus Christ and Esau would give birth
to the Arab nations. The name “Jacob” not only means “Supplanter” but it also
means “following after.” This is
what happened in the womb, Esau came out first and Jacob followed after.
Esau was the first born of Isaac.
Jacob was destined to father the nation of Israel and through him came
the Messiah and this is why Jacob had power with God because God gave him the
power of faith. After all, he
wrestled with God and fathered the twelve patriarchs of the nation of Israel.
Jacob did not have power in himself speaking of human power which would
be frailty but it was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because Jacob was a
believer and had the power of God implanted in him as does every true believer.
{20} Now unto him that is able to
do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us, {21} Unto him
be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Esau was an unbeliever and did not have the inward strength given to
Jacob.
Hosea 12:4
(KJB)
Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he
wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he
spake with us;
{24} And Jacob
was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
{25} And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the
hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he
wrestled with him. (Genesis
32:24-25) The angel was the
Angel of the LORD where Jacob wrestled with him till the break of day and
finally the angel touched his thigh and it was out of joint.
Jacob had prevailed over the angel since it did not look like the angel
was going to defeat him. The
weeping which Jacob did was probably the weeping of prayer and supplication
through tears. Jacob then journeyed
to Beth-el where God once again spoke to him.
Now he is going under the name of Israel which means “Prince with God.”
Hosea 12:5
(KJB)
Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
It was the LORD himself who spoke to Jacob in Beth-el.
The name LORD God of hosts tells us that God is the commander of the
great army of angels in heaven. The
LORD being the memorial of Jacob will be the formation of the nation of Israel
and it is the LORD who will be remembered as the one who brought it forth and
guided them through all their journeys and they will remember what the LORD has
done for them since the time of the exodus.
Hosea 12:6
(KJB)
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment,
and wait on thy God continually.
Since God is their memorial and the commander of the
host of the LORD, Ephraim is now being admonished to turn back to the LORD just
as their ancestors did especially in the times of the Judges.
They should turn back to the LORD and keep his law which contains both
mercy and judgment and forsake all the false religions which got them into
trouble.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and
he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
(Psalm 27:14) To wait on
the LORD for his timing is not a waste of time but is an investment which only
works out for the good of the believer.
Waiting on God is not just a singular event but is part of the ongoing
Christian walk.
Hosea 12:7
(KJB)
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his
hand: he loveth to oppress.