First light at a ford of the Jabbok in its deep gorge: shallow water running over stones, and on the scuffed sand of the near bank a single wooden staff lying where it fell.

Return, O Israel

Hosea 12

Are you more like Jacob the grasper, or Jacob who wept and sought God?

14 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–3Hosea’s marriageA wife, three names, and love bought back
4–6:3The LORD’s caseNo knowledge of God in the land
6–11Sowing the windMist, kings, calves, and a love that won’t let go
11–14Return, O IsraelJacob’s story, death undone, and the last callChapter 12

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

Hosea

Morning on a dusty road leaving the hills of Samaria southward: four donkeys loaded with sealed clay oil jars in rope slings, drivers walking beside them, a hot east wind blowing dust across the road.

Ephraim feeds on the wind

and pursues the east wind all day long;

he multiplies lies and violence;

he makes a covenant with Assyria

and sends olive oil to Egypt.

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Hosea

The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah.

He will punish Jacob according to his ways

and repay him according to his deeds.

Hosea

But you must return to your God;

maintain love and justice,

and always wait on your God.

Hosea 12:6

Reflect

Jacob grasped and schemed. Then he wept and sought God’s favor. Which of those two is your story with God right now?

Hosea

Hosea

A merchant loves to defraud

with dishonest scales in his hands.

Hosea

And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!

I have found wealth for myself.

In all my labors, they can find in me

no iniquity that is sinful.”

God

On an autumn hillside in the land, many little booths of green leafy branches crowd the slope, with families gathered in front of them all facing the same way.

But I am the LORD your God

ever since the land of Egypt.

I will again make you dwell in tents,

as in the days of the appointed feast.

God

I spoke through the prophets

and multiplied their visions;

I gave parables through the prophets.

God

God

Is there iniquity in Gilead?

They will surely come to nothing.

Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?

Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones

in the furrows of the field.

Hosea

First light on the brown steppe of northwest Mesopotamia: a lone shepherd far off, seen from behind in a heavy wool mantle with a staff, leads a large flock across frosty ground.

Jacob fled to the land of Aram

and Israel worked for a wife—

for a wife he tended sheep.

But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,

and by a prophet he was preserved.

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Hosea

Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,

so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him

and repay him for his contempt.

Jacob then, Ephraim now

Whiteboard

Ephraim copied Jacob’s grasping. Hosea calls them to copy his weeping, and to wait on God.

Question

Quick question

Hosea 12:6 is the chapter’s call. Read it again before you answer.

What does 12:6 tell Israel to do?

You’ve experienced

Hosea 12

0 of 14 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.

Hosea 12:6

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