Sermon: An Inevitable Judgement and a Stunning Reversal

Hosea 12

12:1   Ephraim feeds on the wind
    and pursues the east wind all day long;
  they multiply falsehood and violence;
    they make a covenant with Assyria,
    and oil is carried to Egypt.

The Lord’s Indictment of Israel and Judah

2   The LORD has an indictment against Judah
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
    he will repay him according to his deeds.
3   In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
    and in his manhood he strove with God.
4   He strove with the angel and prevailed;
    he wept and sought his favor.
  He met God¹ at Bethel,
    and there God spoke with us—
5   the LORD, the God of hosts,
    the LORD is his memorial name:
6   “So you, by the help of your God, return,
    hold fast to love and justice,
    and wait continually for your God.”
7   A merchant, in whose hands are false balances,
    he loves to oppress.
8   Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich;
    I have found wealth for myself;
  in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.”
9   I am the LORD your God
    from the land of Egypt;
  I will again make you dwell in tents,
    as in the days of the appointed feast.
10   I spoke to the prophets;
    it was I who multiplied visions,
    and through the prophets gave parables.
11   If there is iniquity in Gilead,
    they shall surely come to nothing:
  in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
    their altars also are like stone heaps
    on the furrows of the field.
12   Jacob fled to the land of Aram;
    there Israel served for a wife,
    and for a wife he guarded sheep.
13   By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,
    and by a prophet he was guarded.
14   Ephraim has given bitter provocation;
    so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him
    and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds.