Hosea 12:1-4

God's controversy with Israel and Judah -- Hosea 12:1-4: Israel was wasting her time on that which had no spiritual substance. It was like feeding on the wind. It was an "east" wind or a wind off of the desert. It would be a hot, dry, dusty wind that would have no value but would even do injury. Israel had become so corrupt that deceit and violence were found everywhere. They made threats with Assyria and took olive oil to Egypt. Observe how evil the people of the Northern Kingdom had become. In addition to His disappointment with Israel God also brought charges against the people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. They were also descendants of Jacob or Israel. Punishment would likewise be brought upon them for what they had done. Israel was wicked and would now pay for their sins. Judah would face their wrongs too.

We see from this verse how Jacob was blessed. "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God." (Hosea 12:3) This was in keeping with God's promises in Genesis 25:23. "And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." God's power worked in the life of Jacob. "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us." (Hosea 12:4) God promised to bless and be with Jacob. It was said, "God spoke to us there" and this was in the sense that these people were in the loins of Jacob at Bethel.