Matthew Henry Commentary Hosea 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 12
"Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt. Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God: yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us, even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial [name]. Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually." — Hosea 12:1-6 (ASV)
Ephraim feeds himself with vain hopes of help from man when he is in hostility with God. The Jews vainly thought to secure the Egyptians by a gift of their country's produce. Judah is also called to account.
God sees the sin of His own people and will hold them accountable for it. They are reminded of what Jacob did and what God did for Him. When his faith in the Divine promise overcame his fears, then by his strength he had power with God.
He is Jehovah, the same who was, and is, and is to come. What was a revelation of God to one, is His memorial to many, to all generations. Therefore, let those who have strayed from God turn back to Him. Turn to the Lord by repentance and faith, as your God.
Let those who are converted to Him walk with Him in all holy conduct and godliness. Let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings, determined not to give up until we prevail; and let us seek Him in His ordinances.
"[He is] a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin. But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast. I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes. Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field. And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep]. And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him." — Hosea 12:7-14 (ASV)
Ephraim became a merchant: the word also signifies a Canaanite. They carried on trade on Canaanite principles, covetously and with fraud and deceit. Thus they became rich, and falsely supposed that Providence favored 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 slight that word. We had better follow the hardest labor 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 similar circumstances. Whoever despises the message of God will perish. May we all hear His word with humble, obedient faith.
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