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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 12:1-6

In these verses, I. Ephraim is convicted of folly, in staying himself upon Egypt and Assyria, when he was in straits (Hos. 12:1): Ephraim feeds on wind, that is, feeds himself with vain hopes of assistance from man, when he is at variance with God; and, when he meets with disappointments, he still pursues the same game, and greedily pants and follows after the east wind, which he cannot catch holy of, nor, if he could, would it be nourishing, nay, would be noxious. We say of the wind in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:5

Even the Lord God of hosts ,.... The God Jacob had power over, the Angel he prevailed with, to whom he made supplication with weeping, and who spake with him and his in Bethel, is he whose name is Jehovah; who is the true and living God, the Lord of hosts and armies both in heaven and in earth; of all the angels in heaven, and the legions of them; and of the church militant, and all the saints, who are the good soldiers of Christ, his spiritual militia; and he is the Captain of the Lord's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:6

Therefore turn thou to thy God ,.... Judah, with whom the Lord had a controversy, is here addressed and exhorted to return to the Lord, from whom they had backslidden; and this is urged, from the consideration of their being the descendants of so great a man as Jacob; whose example they should follow, and make supplication to the Lord as he did; and from this instance of their progenitor might encourage themselves, that God, who was his God, and their God, would be gracious and merciful to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 12:5

The Lord is his memorial - He is the same God as when Jacob so successfully wrestled with him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 12:6

Therefore turn thou to thy God - Because he is the same, and cannot change. Seek him as faithfully and as fervently as Jacob did, and you will find him the same merciful and compassionate Being. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 12:6

Verse 6 The Prophet is now here urgent on the people. Having referred to the example of the patriarch, he shows how unlike him were his posterity, with whom God could avail nothing by sound teaching, though he was constantly solicitous for their salvation, and stirred up his Prophets to bring back the lost and scattered to the way of safety. Since then it was so, the Prophet accuses them of ingratitude. But he speaks first of repentance; and then he shows that he and other ministers of God had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:1-6

Reproof, retrospect, and exhortation. Ephraim is reproved for the pursuit of empty and vain courses, and courses detrimental to their best and real interests. Judah is included in the threatening which follows. They are exhorted to follow the example of the patriarch which is proposed for their imitation, with implied promise of similar success. The unchangeableness of God, who not only accepted Jacob, but blessed and prospered him, is held out to the descendants of Jacob as a guarantee of... 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 12:5

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

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