Chapter Introduction
The offenses were tremendous and many. We all know what they deserved. God acts righteously and justly. Yet, He always maintained a remnant. There would be a day when all of Israel would be saved.
Hosea 12:1
The east wind was a hot and dry wind from the desert. It dried up the land and drove it to barrenness. To chase after this wind, to feed on it, was a picture of vanity. It was useless, of no value, consuming their life for nothing. This is likened to making covenants with the Assyrians and attempting to win over Egypt. There was no redeeming value in these allies. God alone could bring them an abundant life.
Hosea 12:2-6
Through Hosea, God’s attention is drawn to Judah, and He looks back to Jacob and recalls His walk. Jacob’s name means heel catcher. From the womb, he struggled against his brother. In life, he struggled against God in His own strength. This struggle was his sin of using deceit for personal gain. Jacob pressed the boundaries of God’s grace to have life on his terms.
We do the same in our walk with the Lord. Left to ourselves, we would walk our way, make our rules, and, in essence, rule our own lives and expect God to bless us. This is in the heart of every natural man. It's as if we can’t help but walk in our own way and turn from God’s way. That’s why we must die to self, actively turn away from our sin, and purposefully strive toward the Lord. God is calling us upward, while sin is calling us downward.
Hosea details the two naming events of Jacob’s life. He caught the heel of his brother, earning him the name of a supplanter (Jacob). Then, he wrestled with God Penuel. According to Hosea’s account, Jacob prevailed against the angel of the Lord. This prevailing was submission to God. We might say that he lost the wrestling match and gained a walk with the Lord. He clung to the Lord for mercy and a blessing. He was given a new name that day after wrestling with God: Israel, because he contended with God. Jacob asked God His name. Hosea states the Yahweh is the name by which He was to be remembered. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations. (Psalm 135:13)
Israel had forgotten this memorial name. They are urged in verse six to return; to use this story and memorial name to remember the lesson of the patriarch. They were called to mercy and justice and waiting on the Lord.
Hosea 12:7-8
God calls Israel a ‘cunning Canaanite’; this is no complement. It is meant to shock and offend, to wake them from their sleepy sin. They are like wealthy merchants who brag of their wealth even though it was brought about by dishonest means. Israel is pictured as this rich and prosperous merchant who finds life and comfort in this deceitful gain. He has so deluded himself by prosperity he can’t even recognize his own sin. He thinks so highly of himself, he believes whatever he does will be accepted by God.
Hosea 12:9-10
We see God’s love, which continues to bring correction and hold onto them despite their turning away and departure. Despite all they’ve done, He remains their God. That brings great comfort to me. I can be sure that, based on God's promises, he will never leave or forsake me. My relationship with God isn’t based on my performance, goodness, or faithfulness. I have none of those things. My relationship is based on God’s faithfulness and His promises.
God would remove Israel from their prosperity. They would once again dwell in tents instead of fine homes. As God remembers those days, so may they remember the days God delivered them. This is how God would bring them back to him. There would be no silent treatment as if it were a punishment. But in correction, He would speak to them through prophets, visions, and symbols.
Hosea 12:11
All the sacrifices of bulls and worship of Idols are nothing but vanity. It’s chasing after that hot east wind. This wind would dry up their economy and bring them to nothing. Their fine altars and high places of religion would be brought low. They would make altars by heaping mounds in the furrows of their fields.
The altars as heaps may also be a wordplay: Gallim (heaps with Gilead and Gilgal.
Hosea 12:12-14
Israel’s stumbling, wandering, and correction are likened to Jacob’s exile when he fled Esau. He served Laban to gain a wife. Despite Laban's deceit and intentions, God watched over him and blessed him. He was brought back to the land. Similarly, Israel was brought out of Egypt by God’s hand working through Moses. Israel was preserved and guided by His prophet. The response of this nation was to provoke the Holy One to anger. He was a Father, leading, guiding, and loving; they were obstinate, rebellious, and ungrateful like a child. It was time for a spanking! Because of their response, the guilt and reproach would remain with them. They would need to be corrected.
The Big Idea
It’s so vital for us never to forget our humble beginnings. We do this when we share at the Lord’s supper. We remember who we were without Him and celebrate what He did for us. I once was lost, but now am found. I was blind, but now I see. Our sinful nature is a downward calling, always working against that upward call of the Lord. From that sinful nature comes pride, a pride that will spoil you and make your memory short. It will turn you from God, from His blessing and protection.
©2006 DOUG FORD; FURTHER STUDY AND REVISION 2016, 2025
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