Hosea 12:1-7

YHWH Makes A Further Appeal To Ephraim And Judah On The Basis Of What Their Ancestor Jacob Did (Hosea 12:1).

Having first stressed Ephraim's total folly and unacceptable deceitfulness, and the fact that they will be punished if they do not mend their ways, Hosea calls on them to remember their ancestor Jacob and the vigour that he showed in his dealings with God, and how he three times thereby prevailed with God, firstly when he seized Esau by the heel (Genesis 25:26), later obtaining for himself Esau's birthright (Genesis 25:33) and blessing (Genesis 27:27; Genesis 27:36), secondly when he met God at Penuel and prevailed with Him by means of God-given power (Genesis 32:22), and thirdly when, having returned to the land, he and the people met God at Bethel and were restored to Him, receiving the confirmation of the promises given to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 35:1). Indeed what Jacob and the people did at Bethel was precisely what Hosea was calling on Israel to do, put away their strange gods and worship YHWH only.

On the basis of this he calls both Judah and Israel to repentance, calling them to return to God, renew their covenant love, and establish justice, although closing by recognising that Ephraim, instead of following Jacob's zeal for God, rather followed less desirable traits in Jacob's character, his deceit and wily trafficking.  Analysis of Hosea 12:1.

a Ephraim feeds on wind, and pursues the east wind, he continually multiplies lies and desolation, and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt (Hosea 12:1).

b YHWH has also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob in accordance with his ways, according to his doings will he recompense him (Hosea 12:2).'

c In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he had power with God, yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed. He wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Beth-el, and there he spoke with us, even YHWH, the God of hosts. YHWH is his memorial name (Hosea 12:3).

b Therefore turn you to your God, maintain covenant love and justice, and wait for your God continually (Hosea 12:6).

a He is a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand, he loves to oppress (Hosea 12:7).

Note that in ‘a' Ephraim is a deceiver, and having made a covenant with Assyria trades with Egypt, and in the parallel he is a deceitful trader. In ‘b' YHWH has a controversy with Judah, but it is Jacob who will be punished for their deeds, and in the parallel God calls on both rather to respond to Him, to maintain covenant love and justice, and wait continually for Him in trust, prayer and obedience. Central in ‘c' is the example given of Jacob who prevailed with God.