Hosea 12:1

CHAPTER XII

The prophet, in very pointed terms, describes the

unprofitableness and destruction attending vicious courses;

particularly such as Ephraim pursued, who forsook God, and

courted the alliance of idolatrous princes, 1.

Judah is also reproved, 2.

He is reminded of the extraordinary favour of God to his father

Jacob, in giving him the birthright; and exhorted, after his

example, to wrestle with God (the Angel of the covenant, the

same unchangeable Jehovah) for a blessing; and to love mercy

and execute justice, 3-6.

Ephraim is accused of pursuing practices that are deceitful,

although pretending to integrity, 7, 8.

God then threatens to deprive this people of their possessions,

9,

as they had rejected every means of reformation, 10,

and given themselves up to gross impieties, 11.

And, as an aggravation of their guilt, they are reminded from

what humble beginnings they had been raised, 12, 13.

The Divine judgments about to fall upon Israel are declared to

be the result of great provocation, 14.

NOTES ON CHAP. XII

Verse Hosea 12:1. Ephraim feedeth on wind] He forms and follows empty and unstable counsels.

Followeth after the east wind] They are not only empty, but dangerous and destructive. The east wind was, and still is, in all countries, a parching, wasting, injurious wind.

He daily increaseth lies] He promises himself safety from foreign alliances. He "made a covenant with the Assyrians," and sent a subsidy of "oil to Egypt." The latter abandoned him; the former oppressed him.