Presents
Pamphlet #8072
Hosea chapter 12
The Book of Hosea teaches us about salvation, and in particular about the salvation of the 10 tribes of the House of Israel (the Christian Nations of the world, who now live in western Europe and the Americas). In doing so we are first shown in vivid, graphic similitude exactly how our Father looks upon the idolatry of His children. And He doesn't "mince words" or "beat around the bush" either. He simply compares their religious worship to a bunch of lewd whores! Hopefully you have gotten the picture by now!
Just so you know that when Ephraim's reproach, his shame, comes upon him and those Christians who will have worshipped the soon coming spurious messiah, the false-christ, Satan, as the Lord Jesus Christ, stand (spiritually) naked and unacceptable before the true Bridegroom, fully exposed as (spiritual) harlots, that it was written of long, long ago in the great Book of Hosea. "Didn't you read My Word?", He will ask?
Now as we near the end of Hosea, the terminology becomes more... shall we say... socially acceptable. But the word "idolatry" should forever be indelibly etched in your mind as being synonymous with "adultery"! Perhaps you will now look upon "religious worship" in a different "light"! Now let's read some more counsel from His Word concerning the land of the free (for now) and the home of the brave (send a few more to Washington).
Note: The last verse of Hosea chapter 11 belongs at the beginning of chapter 12 (See note in the Companion Bible).
The latter part of this verse should read: "Judah is also unruly against God, even against the Holy One who is faithful." (N.A.S.) (See also Hos. 12:2.) Nevertheless, while God is always faithful, lies, deception, and unruliness is what He has to put up with from His children. These things certainly cannot make Him very happy, can they?Hosea 11:12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
The modern term we use today is "suckin' wind". (I'll let you know if it hits a firewall.) Just as our Father wanted us to know from this Book of Hosea that He sees the religious idolatry of His children as harlotry, the transgression of His laws concerning the civil conduct of our nation is also whoredom. You see, signing treaties of alliances and giving big bucks and goodies to foreign countries to BUY their allegiance, is like an harlot paying her lover to put it to her instead of the other way around.Hosea 12:1
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.
Quote:
Thomas Jefferson's warnings were in agreement with God's laws for our nation. In contrast, here's the advice we were given by Bill Clinton:"In his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson warned of entangling alliances."
That is a bunch of "Hot Air", or as Hosea said it in verse 1, that "follows after the east wind" which is the "simoon", the injurious hot drying wind from the east desert."But in our times, America cannot and must not disentangle itself from the world. If we want the world to embody our shared values, then we must assume a shared responsibility."
It is written that if we follow after "hot air" advice that we soon be "sucking the whirlwind" it produces! Remember Hosea 8:7, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up." And the "foreigners" do swallow it up, don't they?
Verse 2:
So we know from this verse along with the last verse of chapter 11 that the LORD has a serious problem with Ephraim's lies. Again, Ephraim was the largest nation and therefore represents the 10 tribes of the House of Israel, just as America does today. And although we learned in our last study it hurts our Father deeply to have to chastise His children, nevertheless He is faithful to His promises and so Jacob, the house of Israel, shall reap what he sows. That is what we just read in verse 2, i.e. "Jacob will be punished according to his ways".[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.
You want an "ensample" to see how to conduct your affairs? Our Father gave us some role models to follow and He includes one here, even our forefather Jacob whose name means "heel-catcher or supplanter", which God changed to "Israel" meaning "God prevails" or "God commands". The very name "Isra-el" lets those children of His with eyes to see and ears to hear know who is in charge, and it is not man. Did you know the name "Isra-el" comes from "sarah"? Look it up in Strong's Concordance.
Here is what Jacob did:
Jacob took hold of Esau's (Russia's) heel right from the starting gate! Esau was the first born son of Isaac which actually made Him the heir to the blessings of the firstborn, even the promises God made to Abraham. But Jacob not only "supplanted" his brother Esau and received those blessings of the covenant, he wrestled with God and became the "prince that prevails with God" (Gen. 32).Hosea 12:3
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
Contrast this with his children today who have become too "fat and lazy" to supplant much of anything spiritually and would rather bow down to idols in their Beth-avens, instead of "holding on to God", His Word, and seeking His blessings![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;
The name [memorial] of the LORD God of hosts is YHVH, Yahveh! Never forget that name or Him to which it belongs.[5] Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
Let's read of the name change and some of the testimony of Jacob written in the Book of Genesis:Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Have you seen God? If you have "seen" the Son, the Word of God, you have "seen" the Father. Do know where to look for Him, to "see" him? (Hint: Look in His Word! (your Bible) Jesus Christ is the Word!)Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
The advice is to TURN, i.e. turn to your Father and "seek Him" in His Word and turn away from the traditions of men! Jacob did trust and rely on the Lord his God and he did wait patiently on Him as verse 12 will document. But not his children! The more they increased in numbers and the more God blessed them, the "fatter" they waxed, i.e. the fatter their heads became, and they forsook the Lord and began to rely on their own counsels and make alliances with other nations.Hosea 12:6
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
Ephraim has become a deceitful merchant, like the Canaanites were known for, and he loves to make one sided deals at the expense of others.Hosea 12:7
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
The worse part is that America thinks her efforts alone have "gotten him (her) riches" instead of exalting God and recognizing the covenant He made to Abraham concerning our national blessings. America is the greatest nation on earth because God Blesses America, not because we are so great ourselves! And so as we have quoted wise old Solomon numerous times in our study of Hosea, we once again are reminded of his words that "There is nothing new under the sun!" Just give our people prosperity and a good economy and they will become blinded as to their wretched spiritual condition.[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.
Here is Hosea 8:8 repeated in Rev. 3:17 concerning the church of Laodicea today.
Yes, they have need of nothing. Perhaps the national bankers can save them. What do you think? No, I'm afraid Jeshurun has waxed fat headed and his spiritual condition has been severely affected by hot air from the east wind as he continues to trust in his own counsels (Hos. 11:6) and does not exalt the One who has blessed him (Hos. 11:7).Rev. 3:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
When will we realize that we can do nothing except He allows us? ALL that we have is because of Him, even the very air we breath. You see, the reality is that one day things can be going really great and all of a sudden a person can be involved in an accident or stricken with illness and just like that his or her life is completely changed. But, Sometimes that is what it takes to cause one to TURN.
So turn to Him, return to Him, and remember always the first commandment of YHVH which, by the way, is contained in the next verse.
Note: Dr. Bullinger points out in the Companion Bible on page 1221 that there needs to be some ellipses supplied in this verse so that it reads "And [thou forgettest that] I, Jehovah thy Elohim from the land of Egypt, [that I have promised that] I will yet make you to dwell in tents as in the Feast of Tabernacles."Hosea 12:9
And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt [and that I have promised that I] will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
Do you think we serve a different God today than the One who revealed Himself to our forefathers? Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." He was the One who led our people out of Egypt, out of captivity and bondage, and we are never to forget where all our blessings come from.
It is the first of the 10 Commandments:
Commandment #2 which follows is "thou shalt not make any graven images (molded in your mind)" which become those "golden calves" of idolatry which are placed before Him!Exodus 20:2
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.[3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Also, the promise God made in Hos. 12:9 that He would make Ephraim to dwell in tabernacles like before is yet future when He shall bring our people out of bondage once again, i.e. after the Assyrian (Satan as ths false-christ) comes and takes our people captive (spiritually).
It is also prophesied in the Book of Zechariah:
Have you gotten the PICTURE yet? He has given us His Word whereby He has shown us ensample after ensample after ensample and told us over and over again!Zech. 14:16
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
He has painted so many pictures for us and given us so many ensamples and told us in such plain, simple language, that we are without excuse for not being able to know what our Father wants from us. And it sure isn't churchianity! Remember Hosea 6:6? "He wants our "love" and for us to "know Him" through His Word, which is to "see him face to face".Hosea 12:10
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
But no! Our people would rather do their own thing! Let's see, there's Gilead and Gilgal, and San Francisco, ________ (insert your town here).
Iniquity in Gilead? It is emptiness and will get them nowhere fast. The religious worship in Gilgal, i.e. their golden calves and Beth-avens? They stink like "cow patties"! Check out the word "heaps".[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.
You may recall that it was at Gilgal, the place of Israel's first encampment after crossing the Jordan River, that Joshua set up the altar with the 12 Stones. The comparison is that soon the people turned to idol worship and set up their own altars with "golden calves" which to Him are nothing more than "heaps of dung", you know, "bull". (I know what you are thinking, but it wouldn't make it through the firewalls.)heaps = gal, gal, Hebrew 1530; from Hebrew 1556 (galal); something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy a spring of water (plural waves) :- billow, heap, spring, wave.
Remember again the example set forth by our forefather Jacob. Jacob worked (tended the sheep) and waited patiently for 7 years to obtain the wife he desired and loved so much (7 is the number denoting spiritual completeness). How about you? Will you "wait" to marry?
God also kept His sheep as He brought Israel out of Egypt and tended them by His prophet Moses.[12] And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
Yet they would not remain faithful to Him and soon rejected Him at Gilgal.[13] And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
Have you read about those provocations in the days of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25 - 13:5) and Hoshea (2 Kings 17:11-23)? We have already read that Ephraim provokes Him sometimes to the point He would like to wipe them all out like Sodom and Gomorrah. It reminds me of what some parents say regarding their children, "Sometimes he makes me so mad I could just smash him!" (Hi Mom!) Nevertheless, it is written that unless His children reTURN to Him, they shall suffer reproach, which means SHAME, that awful shame of standing there spiritually naked, being exposed as a whore! No wonder it is written that they will wish the mountains to fall upon them rather than face the One to whom they were unfaithful! Got the Picture?[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.