Prophet. Josue put the people in possession of the country, and offered sacrifice at Galgal, where the rite of circumcision was performed. This place is now defiled. What perfidy (Haydock) and ingratitude. (Calmet) read more
Him. He shall suffer for his crimes. (Menochius) --- He can blame only himself. (Calmet) read more
* Judah and Israel reminded of the Divine favours. (1-6) The provocations of Israel. (7-14) read more
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... read more
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... read more
The Lord's Accusation v. 1. Ephraim feedeth on wind, striving after vain and empty things, and followeth after the east wind, a hot wind coming up from the Arabian Desert, scorching everything with which it comes into contact; he daily increaseth lies and desolation, faithlessness and violence, whereby the nation was undermined in morals and stability; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, one of the world-powers against whom the prophets had warned, and oil is carried into... read more
Another Serious Reproach v. 7. He is a merchant, rather, "Canaan," the name here applied to the northern kingdom, since, like a dishonest merchant, he sought greatness by deceit and oppression, the balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress, so that the inhabitants practiced the very opposite of what was enjoined in the preceding verse. v. 8. And Ephraim said, in refusing to heed the Lord's admonitions through His prophets, Yet I am become rich, thus trying to excuse his... read more
B. SECOND DISCOURSEHosea 12-14I. AccusationHosea 12:01 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,And the house of Israel with deceit;And Judah still vacillates with God,With the faithful holy One.12 Ephraim feeds upon the wind and pursues the east wind;Every day it increases violence and lying,And they make a covenant with Assyria,And oil [as a gift] is carried to Egypt.3 Jehovah has a contest with JudahAnd (He has) to punish Jacob according to his ways,According to his works he will reward him.4 In... read more
Turn to God, not to Selfish Gain Hosea 11:12 ; Hosea 12:1-14 Though Judah still ruled with God, Hosea 11:12 , yet there was grave fault in him, and, like Ephraim, which had been engaging the prophet’s thought, he also must come under the rod. But throughout this paragraph there lingers the sweet music of the previous chapter, and especially the reminiscence of Israel’s early days, when he had power with the Angel and prevailed. The angel-haunted ideals and resolves of Beth-el could not be... read more
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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:12
CHAPTER XII. Jacob. The history of the patriarch, and of his posterity, serves to place the ingratitude of the people in the clearest light. (Worthington) --- The prophet had interrupted the account of Jacob, (ver. 4.) who had signalized his piety in Galaad, Genesis xxxi. 46. read more