Hosea 12

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:2

The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah; and will punish (margin, visit upon ) Jacob according to his ways . God here presents himself at once as plaintiff and judge, widening the range of his pleadings. The controversy with Israel takes a wider sweep, and comprehends Judah culpable, though apparently in a less degree. But though Judah comes in for a share of punishment, that punishment shall be proportionate to their delinquencies—those like Judah that sinned less shall suffer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:3

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power (margin, was a prince, or, behaved himself princely ) with God. In this verse and the following the prophet looks away back into the far-distant past; and this retrospect, which is suggested by the names Jacob and Israel, reminds him of two well-known events in the life of the patriarch-The meaning and intention of this reminiscence are differently interpreted. The two leading views are the following: (a) ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:3

Power with God. The prophet here introduced a reference to Jacob, one of the ancestors of the chosen people, in order to encourage his descendants to apply for mercy to the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. The Eternal and Unchangeable remained the same; and what God had done for the ancient saints he was willing to do for their posterity. The expression used with regard to Jacob deserves attention: "In his strength he put forth power [or, 'prowess'] with God." I. WHENCE POWER ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:3-6

Power with God. The people are incited to repentance by the example of their progenitor Jacob. His wrestling for the blessing sets their unfaithfulness in darker contrast. I. GOD 'S ELECTION DOES NOT SUPERSEDE MAN 'S EFFORT . Before Jacob was born God had said, "The elder shall serve the younger" ( Genesis 25:23 ). Yet the blessing had to be striven for, and won from God by wrestling and supplication. 1. Jacob had from the first an impulse to realize his destiny . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:4

Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him. As Jacob's position at birth symbolized the pre-eminence which God's electing love had in store for him, and as in his manhood's prime he put forth such earnestness and energy to obtain the blessing, so Israel, by the example of their forefather, are encouraged to like strenuous exertion with like certainty of success. The example is more fully described and dwelt on in this verse for the purpose of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:5

Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial. Here we have at once a confirmation and a pledge of previous promises. Jacob had wronged Esau, and thereby incurred his displeasure; he had offended God by the injury inflicted on his brother. He is consequently in a position of peril with respect to both God and man; he repented of his sin, and with many and hitter tears supplicated safety—salvation in the highest sense. Jacob, or Israel, in Hosea's time were involved in greater guilt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:5

Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial. The God who appeared to Jacob, who conversed with him in reference to his posterity as well as himself, and whom Jacob found at Bethel, was the God of Jacob's succeeding race; the God against whom they had trespassed, but to whom they are now urged to turn. V. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE PRECEDING STATEMENTS . The application which the prophet makes of the subject is introduced with a "therefore." This "therefore"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:6

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. God's character in itself, and his conduct towards the great forefather of the Hebrew race, call at once for confidence and contrition. The evidence of their repentance is twofold: one aspect is manward, consisting of mercy and judgment; the other is Godward, being a constant waiting upon God. The literal rendering brings out the meaning more clearly; it is, "And thou, in [or, 'by'] thy God thou shalt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:6

Turn thou to thy God. If there is one message more frequently repeated than another in the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments, it is this message requiring repentance . There has been no generation of men, nay, there has been no individual man, to whom it might not justly be said, Repent! I. HUMAN CHARACTER AND LIFE ARE SUCH AS TO RENDER NECESSARY THIS TURNING TO GOD . One who is on the right road already has no need to turn; but he who is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:6

Wait on thy God. It is very instructive that the prophet in this passage admonished, not only to repentance, reformation, and righteousness, but also to "waiting on God." Many of the effects of repentance, and especially the moral, subjective effects, might be felt immediately, but there were other consequences which might probably be delayed. Hence the admonition of the text. I. IT IS HONORING TO GOD THAT HIS PEOPLE SHOULD WAIT UPON HIM . It is not for man to... read more

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