The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Wind” it comes from the Hebrew Word “qadim” which means “east wind.”
Hosea recalls Jacob’s history while confronting Ephraim’s persistent deceit and false trust. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Hosea 12.
Hosea describes Ephraim as feeding on wind, and following after the east “wind,” “qadim” in Hebrew, he daily increases lies and desolation, and they make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt, the Lord also having a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings He will recompense him.
Hosea recalls Jacob’s history, how he took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength had power with God, having power over the angel, and prevailed, weeping and making supplication to Him, finding Him in Bethel, and there He spoke with them, urging his readers to turn to their God, keep mercy and judgment, and wait on their God continually, describing Ephraim as a merchant, the balances of deceit being in his hand, he loves to oppress.
Hosea records Ephraim saying he has become rich, has found substance, and in all his labors they shall find no iniquity in him that were sin, but God, who is the Lord his God from the land of Egypt, will yet make him dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast, describing how He has spoken by the prophets, and multiplied visions, and used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets, describing iniquity in Gilead, they are altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks, closing with a reminder that Jacob fled into the country of Syria, Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep, and by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved, though Ephraim has provoked Him to anger most bitterly.
Hosea’s memorable image, Ephraim feeding on wind and pursuing the east wind, illustrates the genuine emptiness of chasing unstable political alliances and self-serving deceit rather than pursuing genuine, lasting substance through faithful relationship with God. His recollection of Jacob’s own history, wrestling with God and later serving faithfully for his wife, offers a model of genuine perseverance and honest struggle rather than the deceptive shortcuts Ephraim now pursues.
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