Hosea 11:12-12:14
Q.1. What lie did God expose in Israel? From where had Judah fallen from her lofty beginnings? How were they to respond? – (Hos.11:12-12:6)
When it suited Israel, they cried out to God. However, mostly, they turned to other nations for protection, then polluted their own land with their gods and evil practices. Jacob had started with such passion for God, right from the womb of Rebekah. He found God at Bethel, and eventually wrestled with Him for His blessing – 3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his maturity, he contended with God. 4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favour. He found Him at Bethel and there He spoke with us, 5 Even the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is His name (Hos.12:3-5). It is interesting that God equated Judah with Jacob (i.e. Judah was the fourth born who was granted the blessing of the firstborn son – Gen.49:8-10) – The Lord also has a dispute with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds (Hos.12:2). God’s counsel is clear – Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually (Hos.12:6).
Q.2. To what lengths had God gone to appeal to His people? What was Jacob instructed to remember about their beginnings as a people? – (Hos.12:7-14)
God had been their Lord since their redemption from slavery in Egypt (Hos.12:9). He had constantly spoken to the nation – I have also spoken to the prophets, and I gave numerous visions, and through the prophets I gave parables (Hos.12:10). However, they had refused to listen. and even insulted God by claiming that their blessings were the result of their own endeavours. In their humble beginnings, Jacob had gone out with nothing, and had to work seven years as a shepherd to earn his wife. God later appointed the prophet, Moses to lead them out of servitude (Hos.12:12-13). Since they had forgotten these truths and turned to other nations and their gods, God would repay them for their deeds.