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Hosea

Uses the prophet's marriage as a symbol for Israel's unfaithfulness and God's faithful love.

Chapter 12

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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 relies on wind and follows the east wind. They increase lies and emptiness every day. They make a deal with the Assyrians, and oil is brought to Egypt.

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.

*God has a disagreement with Judah and will discipline Jacob based on his actions; He will repay him according to what he has done.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

*He grabbed his sibling's heel while still in their mother's belly, and using his strength, he was able to have influence with God.

4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

*Yes, he had control over the angel and won. He cried and asked for help from him. He found the angel in Bethel, and that's where they talked to us.

5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

*Even the Lord God of armies; the Lord is his remembrance.

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

*So, turn to your God for help. Be kind and fair, and always wait for your God's guidance.

7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

*He's a businessman, holding scales of dishonesty; he enjoys being unfair.

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.

*Ephraim said, "I am wealthy now, I discovered great wealth. In all my hard work, no one will find any wrongdoing or sin in me."

9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

*I, the LORD your God from Egypt, will have you live in temporary homes, just like during special celebrations.

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

*I've talked through prophets, and created many visions, using symbols, with the help of prophets.

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.

*Is there wrongdoing in Gilead? Yes, they are foolish; they sacrifice large animals at an altar in Gilgal. These altars look like piles of stones in the grooves of farmland.

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

*Jacob ran away to Syria. There, Israel took care of sheep as part of his job and also married.

13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

*The Lord used a prophet to take Israel from Egypt and also kept them safe through another prophet.

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.

*Ephraim made God very angry; so God will punish them, and their shame will be returned to them by the Lord.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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