‏ Hosea 12

* Judah and Israel reminded of the Divine favours. (1-6) The

provocations of Israel. (7-14)

1-6 Ephraim feeds himself with vain hopes of help from man,

when he is at enmity with God. The Jews vainly thought to secure

the Egyptians by a present of the produce of their country.

Judah is contended with also. God sees the sin of his own

people, and will reckon with them for it. They are put in mind

of what Jacob did, and what God did for him. When his faith upon

the Divine promise prevailed above his fears, then by his

strength he had power with God. He is Jehovah, the same that

was, and is, and is to come. What was a revelation of God to

one, is his memorial to many, to all generations. Then let those

who have gone from God, be turned to him. Turn thou to the Lord,

by repentance and faith, as thy God. Let those that are

converted to him, walk with him in all holy conversation and

godliness. Let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings,

determined not to give over till we prevail; and let us seek Him

in his ordinances. 7-14 Ephraim became a merchant: the word also signifies a

Canaanite. They carried on trade upon Canaanitish principles,

covetously and with fraud and deceit. Thus they became rich, and

falsely supposed that Providence favoured them. But shameful

sins shall have shameful punishments. Let them remember, not

only what a mighty prince Jacob was with God, but what a servant

he was to Laban. The benefits we have had from the word of God,

make our sin and folly the worse, if we put any slight upon that

word. We had better follow the hardest labour in poverty, than

grow rich by sin. We may form a judgment of our own conduct, by

comparing it with that of ancient believers in the like

circumstances. Whoever despises the message of God, will perish.

May we all hear his word with humble, obedient faith.