Hosea 12
1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt. 2 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.Lest, however, the Judeans believe they are exempt from punishment for sin, they too will be brought to court by God for judgment.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God: 4 yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us,
The name Jacob means manipulator, deceiver, trickster . Here that name describes the attitudes of his descendents as well. Of particular interest here is the chiastic structure of these verses:
A-In the womb Jacob supplanted his brother.The point: that Jacob s descendents too can learn to be right with God and man if they will but repent.
B- In Adulthood he strove with God.
B - He Strove with God and prevailed.
A - He wept and sought his brother's favor.
5 even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial name. 6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.
Struggle with God makes one righteous -- or destroys.
7 He is a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. 8 And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin. 9 But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
Ephraim is a merchant who is so greedy that he will do anything for profit. Still, if they repent they will be restored.
10 I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.
God s message. Curiously the word translated similitudes or parables is also a word that means ruin . Ruin comes to those who reject the parables spoken by the prophets and the truths those parables represent.
11 Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field. 12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
Ephraim flees to foreign powers just as she flees to foreign gods.
13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. 14 Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
This is known as a bride rescue story. See the many examples in many world literatures.