Hosea 12

Hosea 12:1

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim pleaseth himself with following vain and idle hopes: he daily adds to his own disappointment and desolation: they project how to make themselves strong by their leagues with the Assyrians; and they send of their most precious presents, to insinuate with the Egyptians.

Hosea 12:2

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

Neither is Judah altogether free: God hath just quarrels against this better part of the posterity of Jacob, and will proceed against them according to their doings.

Hosea 12:7

He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand.

Israel is a crafty, deceitful merchant: he makes use of false balances, and loves to oppress his brethren.

Hosea 12:8

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become exceeding rich: I have prospered wonderously in the increase of my substance; and yet, I have so carried the matter, that, in all my labours and contracts, no man can accuse me of iniquity, or say, Herein thou hast sinned.

Hosea 12:10

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

I have also sent my prophets unto thee, and have by them declared my will and purposes towards thee, and have given them visions and revelations concerning thee, and have used all clear and familiar means of thine instruction by them.

Hosea 12:11

Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Do ye think there was more iniquity in the Gileadites, that are already carried away captive, than in you? Surely the rest of Israel is in the same case: they all lie open to the same judgment: they sacrifice to their idols, in Gilgal also; yea, their altars are as frequent every where, as the clods are in the furrows of the fields.

Hosea 12:12

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

I have not deserved this at their hands: I have been always graciously ready to preserve them: I protected Jacob, when he fled into the country of Syria; where Israel your father served Laban for a wife, and for a wife kept the sheep of that hard father-in-law.

Hosea 12:14

Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Notwithstanding all the mercies of God, both late and ancient, Ephraim provoked him to anger, most grievously: therefore shall God lay upon him the punishment of his own sin; and that reproach, which his wickedness hath cast upon God, will God justly return upon Ephraim.