Title: Hope in God (Hos 12:1-14)
Contents Israel is an idol that is of no help, or trusting in idols is like eating the wind, so nothing can satisfy hunger. Following Assyria in the East is like following the east wind. But it was eventually destroyed.
Because Judas also sinned, he quarreled with God. God contends with sinners, to put an end to sin, but they disobeyed.
1. Warning by Jacob's example 3-6 Historically, Jacob was a man of faith and a demonstrator of prayer. Therefore, he listened to him and gave him a warning of instruction. Although Jacob's temper is cunning, his zeal to receive God's favor at any cost is admirable, and he has seized the heels of his older brother Esau from the public, because of his longing for the blessing of the firstborn. Also, the method of lying was mean, but his longing for blessings was regarded as imaginary, and he was valued more than his older brother, who disregarded the blessings, and actually surpassed his older brothers. blessed and enjoyed The way to do this is to compete with the angels on the Yabbok River to win, and when he insisted that he would never let go if he did not give him a blessing, he finally received an answer.
Even a sinful person discovers the truth that when he earnestly seeks like this, he can get it. This is because God followed Jacob, who sinned and fled. It's because I met you. Meeting God creates a way to live.
2. Injustice and pride 7-8 The phrase “I am a merchant… means that the Canaanites are merchants, and they have been famous for their good commercial skills and buying and selling through false means. At that time, the people of Israel were thus corrupted and collected money fraudulently, which is a false and hypocritical fact before God not only in their lives but also in their faith. Ephraim is a nickname for Israel, and they say that they obtained all their wealth by their own strength, and that it was not their fault. However, even if he did something good, it was by the grace of God, and he did not realize it, so it was his fault and his attitude was false. The attitude that people take without knowing God rightly is not the truth, and everything is false. How can a man obtain wealth so that he may become rich, and find no injustice that is called a sin?
3. Rebellion and Punishment 9-14 Because the people of Israel do not realize their sins and claim their own righteousness, God is here pointing out their work through His grace alone. And to break their ignorance, he will discipline them and observe the new Feast of Tabernacles again. In spite of the constant revelation of God, they forget.
Gilead said that it would be in vain due to iniquity, and Gilgal meant that it would become a ruin like a pile of stones. And they are reminded of how humble they were to be represented by their ancestor Jacob.
Conclusion: They grew up on such a low stump, went to Egypt, and experienced God's great salvation there where they were slaves. If so, how much they should thank God, but he infuriated them, warning them that the blood would linger on them.