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71 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Daniel';
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PriorChapter = 'Hosea 11';
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NextChapter = 'Hosea 13';
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Title = 'The Book of Hosea';
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SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 12';
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Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
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authorCite = 'Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown';
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<p id="Chapter12" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 12
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<p id="Ho12_1"><a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,'1-14');">Hsa 12:1-14</a>. REPROOF OF EPHRAIM AND JUDAH: THEIR FATHER JACOB OUGHT TO BE A PATTERN TO THEM.
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<p>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 <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,1);">Hsa 12:1</a>). 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. <p><b>1. feedeth on wind</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',15,14);">Pro 15:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,20);">Isa 44:20</a>). Followeth after vain objects, such as alliances with idolaters and their idols (compare <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',8,7);">Hsa 8:7</a>).
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<br><br><b>east wind</b>—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 <a onclick="return mV('Job',15,2);">Job 15:2</a>).
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<br><br><b>increaseth lies</b>—accumulates lie upon lie, that is, impostures wherewith they deceive themselves, forsaking the truth of God.
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<br><br><b>desolation</b>—<i>violent oppressions</i> practised by Israel [MAURER]. Acts which would prove the <i>cause</i> of Israel's own <i>desolation</i> [CALVIN].
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<br><br><b>covenant with...Assyrians</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',5,13);">Hsa 5:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',7,11);">7:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>oil...into Egypt</b>—as a present from Israel to secure Egypt's alliance (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,6);">Isa 30:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,9);">57:9</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,4);">2Ki 17:4</a>). Palestine was famed for oil (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',27,17);">Eze 27:17</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_2"><b>2. controversy with Judah</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',4,1);">Hsa 4:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mic',6,2);">Mic 6:2</a>). Judah, under Ahaz, had fallen into idolatry (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',16,3);">2Ki 16:3</a>, etc.).
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<br><br><b>Jacob</b>—that is, the ten tribes. If Judah, the favored portion of the nation, shall not be spared, much less degenerate Israel.
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<p id="Ho12_3"><b>3. He</b>—Jacob, contrasted with his degenerate descendants, called by his name, Jacob (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,2);">Hsa 12:2</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Mic',2,7);">Mic 2:7</a>). <i>He</i> took Esau by the heel in the womb in order to obtain, if possible, the privileges of the first-born (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',25,'22-26');">Gen 25:22-26</a>), whence he took his name, Jacob, meaning "supplanter"; and again, by his strength, prevailed in wrestling with God for a blessing (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',32,'24-29');">Gen 32:24-29</a>); whereas ye disregard My promises, putting your confidence in idols and foreign alliances. <i>He</i> conquered God, <i>ye</i> 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 (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,16,17);">Hbr 12:16-17</a>), but, by becoming a curse for us, is a blessing to us.
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<br><br><b>power with God</b>—referring to his name, "Israel," <i>prince of God,</i> acquired on that occasion (compare <a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,12);">Mat 11:12</a>). As the promised Canaan had to be gained forcibly by Israel, so heaven by the faithful (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,21);">Rev 3:21</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Luk',13,24);">Luk 13:24</a>). "Strive," literally, "as in the agony of a contest." So the Canaanitess (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',15,22);">Mat 15:22</a>).
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<br><br><b>his strength</b>—which lay in his conscious weakness, whence, when his thigh was put out of joint by God, he <i>hung upon Him.</i> 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 (<a onclick="return mV('Job',23,6);">Job 23:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',27,5);">Isa 27:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,9,10);">2Cr 12:9-10</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_4"><b>4. the angel</b>—the uncreated Angel of the Covenant, as God the Son appears in the Old Testament (<a onclick="return mV('Mal',3,1);">Mal 3:1</a>).
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<br><br><b>made supplication</b>— <a onclick="return mV('Gen',32,26);">Gen 32:26</a>; I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
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<br><br><b>he found him</b>—The angel found Jacob, when he was fleeing from Esau into Syria: the Lord appearing to him "in Beth-el" (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',28,'11-19');">Gen 28:11-19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',35,1);">35:1</a>). What a sad contrast, that in this same Beth-el now Israel worships the golden calves!
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<br><br><b>there he spake with us</b>—"with <i>us,</i>" as being in the loins of our progenitor Jacob (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',66,6);">Psa 66:6</a>, "They...<i>we;</i>" <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',7,9,10);">Hbr 7:9-10</a>). What God there spoke to Jacob appertains to us. God's promises to him belong to all his posterity who follow in the steps of his prayerful faith.
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<p id="Ho12_5"><b>5. Lord God</b>—JEHOVAH, a name implying His <i>immutable constancy to His promises.</i> From the <i>Hebrew</i> root, meaning "existence." "He that is, was, and is to be," always the same (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,8);">Hbr 13:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,4);">Rev 1:4,8</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',3,14,15);">Exd 3:14-15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',6,3);">6:3</a>). As He was unchangeable in His favor to Jacob, so will He be to His believing posterity.
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<br><br><b>of hosts</b>—which Israel foolishly worshipped. Jehovah has all the hosts (<i>saba</i>) or powers of heaven and earth at His command, so that He is as all-powerful, as He is faithful, to fulfil His promises (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',135,6);">Psa 135:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Amo',5,27);">Amo 5:27</a>).
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<br><br><b>memorial</b>—the name expressive of the character in which God was ever to be remembered (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',135,13);">Psa 135:13</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_6"><b>6. thou</b>—who dost wish to be a true descendant of Jacob.
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<br><br><b>to THY God</b>—who is therefore bound by covenant to hear thy prayers.
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<br><br><b>keep mercy and judgment</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',6,8);">Mic 6:8</a>). These two include the second-table commandments, duty towards one's neighbor, the most visible test of the sincerity on one's repentance.
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<br><br><b>wait on thy God</b>—alone, not on thy idols. Including all the duties of the first table (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,3);">Psa 37:3, 5, 7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',40,1);">40:1</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_7"><b>7. merchant</b>—a play on the double sense of the <i>Hebrew,</i> "Canaan," that is, a Canaanite and a "merchant" <a onclick="return mV('Eze',16,3);">Eze 16:3</a>: "Thy birth is...of Canaan." They who naturally were descendants of pious <i>Jacob</i> had become virtually <i>Canaanites,</i> who were proverbial as cheating <i>merchants</i> (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',23,11);">Isa 23:11</a>, <i>Margin</i>), the greatest reproach to Israel, who despised Canaan. The Phoenicians called themselves <i>Canaanites</i> or <i>merchants</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',23,8);">Isa 23:8</a>).
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<br><br><b>oppress</b>—<i>open</i> violence: as the "balances of deceit" imply <i>fraud.</i>
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<p id="Ho12_8"><b>8. And</b>—that is, Notwithstanding.
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<br><br><b>Yet I am...rich</b>—I regard not what the prophets say: I am content with my state, as I am rich (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,17);">Rev 3:17</a>). Therefore, in just retribution, this is the very language of the enemy in being the instrument of Israel's punishment. <a onclick="return mV('Zec',11,5);">Zec 11:5</a>: "They that sell them say...<i>I am rich.</i>" Far better is poverty with honesty, than riches gained by sin.
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<br><br><b>my labours</b>—my gains by labor.
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<br><br><b>they shall find none</b>—that is, none shall find any.
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<br><br><b>iniquity...that were sin</b>—iniquity that would bring down the penalty of sin. Ephraim argues, My success in my labors proves that I am not a guilty sinner as the prophets assert. Thus sinners pervert God's long-suffering goodness (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,45);">Mat 5:45</a>) into a justification of their impenitence (compare <a onclick="return mV('Ecc',8,'11-13');">Ecc 8:11-13</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_9"><b>9. And</b>—rather, "And yet." Though Israel deserves to be cast off for ever, yet I am still what I have been from the time of My delivering them out of Egypt, their covenant God; therefore, "I will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles," that is, to keep the feast of tabernacles again in remembrance of a new deliverance out of bondage. Fulfilled primarily at the return from Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Neh',8,17);">Neh 8:17</a>). Fully and antitypically to be fulfilled at the final restoration from the present dispersion (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',14,16);">Zec 14:16</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Lev',23,42, 43);">Lev 23:42-43</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_10"><b>10. by...the prophets</b>—literally, "upon," that is, My spirit resting <i>on</i> them. I deposited <i>with them</i> My instructions which ought to have brought you to the right way. An aggravation of your guilt, that it was not through ignorance you erred, but in defiance of God and His prophets [CALVIN]. Ahijah the Shilonite, Shemaiah, Iddo, Azariah, Hanani, Jehu, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Joel, and Amos were "the prophets" before Hosea.
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<br><br><b>visions...similitudes</b>—I adopted such modes of communication, adapted to man's capacities, as were calculated to arouse attention: I left no means untried to reform you. The first, second, and third chapters contain examples of "similitudes."
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<p id="Ho12_11"><b>11. Is there iniquity in Gilead?</b>—He asks the question, not as if the answer was doubtful, but to strengthen the affirmation: "Surely they are vanity"; or as MAURER translates, "They are <i>nothing but</i> iniquity." <i>Iniquity,</i> especially idolatry, in Scripture is often termed "vanity." <a onclick="return mV('Pro',13,11);">Pro 13:11</a>: "Wealth gotten by <i>vanity,</i>" that is, <i>iniquity.</i> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',41,29);">Isa 41:29</a>: "They are all <i>vanity...images.</i>" "Gilead" refers to Mizpah-gilead, a city representing the region beyond Jordan (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',6,8);">Hsa 6:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jdg',11,29);">Jdg 11:29</a>); as "Gilgal," the region on this side of Jordan (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',4,15);">Hsa 4:15</a>). In all quarters alike they are utterly vile.
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<br><br><b>their altars are as heaps in the furrows</b>—that is, as numerous as such heaps: namely, the heaps of stones cleared out of a stony field. An appropriate image, as at a distance they look like altars (compare <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',10,1);">Hsa 10:1, 4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',8,11);">8:11</a>). As the third member in the parallelism answers to the first, "Gilgal" to "Gilead," so the fourth to the second, "altars" to "vanity." The word "heaps" alludes to the name "Gilgal," meaning "a heap of stones." The very scene of the general circumcision of the people, and of the solemn passover kept after crossing Jordan, is now the stronghold of Israel's idolatry.
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<p id="Ho12_12"><b>12. Jacob fled...served</b>—Though ye pride yourselves on the great name of "Israel," forget not that your progenitor was the same Jacob who was a fugitive, and who served for Rachel fourteen years. <i>He</i> forgot not ME who delivered him when fleeing from Esau, and when oppressed by Laban (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',28,5);">Gen 28:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',29,20, 28);">29:20, 28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',26,5);">Deu 26:5</a>). <i>Ye,</i> though delivered from Egypt (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,13);">Hsa 12:13</a>), and loaded with My favors, are yet unwilling to return to Me.
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<br><br><b>country of Syria</b>—the champaign region of Syria, the portion lying between the Tigris and Euphrates, hence called Mesopotamia. Padan-aram means the same, that is, "Low Syria," as opposed to Aramea (meaning the "high country") or Syria (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',48,7);">Gen 48:7</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_13"><b>13. by a prophet</b>—Moses (<a onclick="return mV('Num',12,'6-8');">Num 12:6-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',18,15);">Deu 18:15, 18</a>).
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<br><br><b>preserved</b>—Translate, "kept"; there is an allusion to the same <i>Hebrew</i> word in <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,12);">Hsa 12:12</a>, "<i>kept</i> sheep"; Israel was <i>kept</i> by God as <i>His flock,</i> even as <i>Jacob kept sheep</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',80,1);">Psa 80:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',63,11);">Isa 63:11</a>).
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<p id="Ho12_14"><b>14. provoked him</b>—that is, God.
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<br><br><b>leave his blood upon him</b>—not take away the guilt and penalty of the innocent blood shed by Ephraim in general, and to Moloch in particular.
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<br><br><b>his reproach shall his Lord return unto him</b>—Ephraim's dishonor to God in worshipping idols, God will repay to him. That God is "<i>his</i> Lord" by right redemption and special revelation to Ephraim only aggravates his guilt, instead of giving him hope of escape. God does not give up His claim to them as <i>His,</i> however they set aside His dominion.
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