Hosea 12

Hosea 12:1-14 . REPROOF OF EPHRAIM AND JUDAH: THEIR FATHER JACOB OUGHT TO BE A PATTERN TO THEM.

This prophecy was delivered about the time of Israel's seeking the aid of the Egyptian king So, in violation of their covenant with Assyria (see Hosea 12:1 ). He exhorts them to follow their father Jacob's persevering prayerfulness, which brought God's favor upon him. As God is unchangeable, He will show the same favor to Jacob's posterity as He did to Jacob, if, like him, they seek God.

1. feedeth on wind--( Proverbs 15:14 , Isaiah 44:20 ). Followeth after vain objects, such as alliances with idolaters and their idols (compare Hosea 8:7 ).
east wind--the simoon, blowing from the desert east of Palestine, which not only does not benefit, but does injury. Israel follows not only things vain, but things pernicious (compare Job 15:2 ).
increaseth lies--accumulates lie upon lie, that is, impostures wherewith they deceive themselves, forsaking the truth of God.
desolation--violent oppressions practised by Israel [MAURER]. Acts which would prove the cause of Israel's own desolation [CALVIN].
covenant with . . . Assyrians--( Hosea 5:13 , 7:11 ).
oil . . . into Egypt--as a present from Israel to secure Egypt's alliance ( Isaiah 30:6 , 57:9 ; compare 2 Kings 17:4 ). Palestine was famed for oil ( Ezekiel 27:17 ).

2. controversy with Judah--( Hosea 4:1 , Micah 6:2 ). Judah, under Ahaz, had fallen into idolatry ( 2 Kings 16:3 , &c.).
Jacob--that is, the ten tribes. If Judah, the favored portion of the nation, shall not be spared, much less degenerate Israel.

3. He--Jacob, contrasted with his degenerate descendants, called by his name, Jacob ( Hosea 12:2 ; compare Micah 2:7 ). He took Esau by the heel in the womb in order to obtain, if possible, the privileges of the first-born ( Genesis 25:22-26 ), whence he took his name, Jacob, meaning "supplanter"; and again, by his strength, prevailed in wrestling with God for a blessing ( Genesis 32:24-29 ); whereas ye disregard My promises, putting your confidence in idols and foreign alliances. He conquered God, ye are the slaves of idols. Only have Jehovah on your side, and ye are stronger than Edom, or even Assyria. So the spiritual Israel lays hold of the heel of Jesus, "the First-born of many brethren," being born again of the Holy Spirit. Having no right in themselves to the inheritance, they lay hold of the bruised heel, the humanity of Christ crucified, and let not go their hold of Him who is not, as Esau, a curse ( Hebrews 12:16 Hebrews 12:17 ), but, by becoming a curse for us, is a blessing to us.
power with God--referring to his name, "Israel," prince of God, acquired on that occasion (compare Matthew 11:12 ). As the promised Canaan had to be gained forcibly by Israel, so heaven by the faithful ( Revelation 3:21 ; compare Luke 13:24 ). "Strive," literally, "as in the agony of a contest." So the Canaanitess ( Matthew 15:22 ).
his strength--which lay in his conscious weakness, whence, when his thigh was put out of joint by God, he hung upon Him. To seek strength was his object; to grant it, God's. Yet God's mode of procedure was strange. In human form He tries as it were to throw Jacob down. When simple wrestling was not enough, He does what seems to ensure Jacob's fall, dislocating his thigh joint, so that he could no longer stand. Yet it was then that Jacob prevailed. Thus God teaches us the irresistible might of conscious weakness. For when weak in ourselves, we are strong by His strength put in us ( Job 23:6 , Isaiah 27:5 , 2 Corinthians 12:9 2 Corinthians 12:10 ).