Hosea 12 - Turn Thou to Thy God
Hosea recalls Jacob wrestling with God as a call for Israel to return.
Where Hosea 11 recalled God's love for Israel as a child, this chapter looks back further to Jacob, who 'took his brother by the heel in the womb' and later wrestled with the angel at Bethel.
\\11:12\\Ephraim encompasseth me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
\\12:1\\Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
\\12:2\\The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
\\12:3\\He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
\\12:4\\Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spoke with us;
\\12:5\\Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
\\12:6\\Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
\\12:7\\He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
\\12:8\\And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: in all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that were sin.
\\12:9\\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.
\\12:10\\I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets.
\\12:11\\Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yes, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
\\12:12\\And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
\\12:13\\And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
\\12:14\\Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore will he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach will his Lord return to him.