1 EPHRAIM feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us;
5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

1Ephraim feedeth on winde, and followeth after the East winde: hee daily increaseth lies and desolation, and they doe make a couenant with the Assyrians, and oyle is caried into Egypt.

2The Lord hath also a controuersie with Iudah, and will punish Iacob according to his wayes, according to his doings will he recompense him.

3 Hee tooke his brother by the heele in the wombe, and by his strength he had power with God.

4Yea, he had power ouer the Angel and preuailed: hee wept and made supplication vnto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with vs.

5Euen the Lord God of hosts, the Lord is his memoriall.

6Therefore turne thou to thy God: keepe mercie and iudgement, and wait on thy God continually.

7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: hee loueth to oppresse.

8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I haue found mee out substance: in all my labours they shall finde none iniquitie in mee, that were sinne.

9And I that am the Lord thy God from the lande of Egypt, will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the dayes of the solemne feast.

10I haue also spoken by the prophets, and I haue multiplied visions, and vsed similitudes, by the ministerie of the prophets.

11Is there iniquitie in Gilead? surely they are vanitie, they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal, yea their altars are as heapes in the furrowes of the fields.

12And Iacob fled into the countrey of Syria, and Israel serued for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheepe.

13And by a Prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a Prophet was he preserued.

14Ephraim prouoked him to anger, most bitterly: therefore shall he leaue his blood vpon him, and his reproch shall his Lord returne vnto him.

I == 2nd Kings 17:4

 

 

 

 

III == Gen 25:26 ; 32:24-26

 

IV == Gen 28:12 , 19 ; 35:9 , 10 , 15

 

 

 

VI == Ps 37:7 ; Hos 14:1 ; Mic 6:8

VII == Prov 11:1 ; Ezek 16:3 ; Amos 8:5 , 8

 

 

IX == Lev 23:42-43

 

 

 

 

 

 

XII == Gen 28:5 ; 29:20 , 28 ; Deut 26:5

XIII== Ex 12:50-51 ; 13:3

XIV == Deut 28:37 ; 2nd Kings 17:11-18 ; Ezek 18:13 ; 24:7-8 ; Dan 11:18

 

1 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit; Judah is still rebellious against God, against the Holy One, who is faithful.

2 Ephraim chases the wind, ever pursuing the gale. His lies and falsehoods are many: he comes to terms with Assyria, and carries oil to Egypt.

3 The LORD has a grievance against Israel: he shall punish Jacob for his conduct, for his deeds he shall repay him.

4 In the womb he supplanted his brother, and as a man he contended with God;

5 He contended with the angel and triumphed, entreating him with tears. At Bethel he met God and there he spoke with him:

6 The LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is his name!

7 You shall return by the help of your God, if you remain loyal and do right and always hope in your God.

8 A merchant who holds a false balance, who loves to defraud!

9 Though Ephraim says, "How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!" All his gain shall not suffice him for the guilt of his sin.

10 I am the LORD, your God, since the land of Egypt; I will again have you live in tents, as in that appointed time.

11 I granted many visions and spoke to the prophets, through whom I set forth examples.

12 In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nought, in Gilgal they sacrifice to bullocks; Their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.

13 When Jacob fled to the land of Aram, he served for a wife; for a wife Israel tended sheep.

14 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet they were protected.

15 Ephraim has exasperated his lord; therefore he shall cast his blood-guilt upon him and repay him for his outrage.

Chapter 12 "Jacob Found God at Bethel"

Making secret agreements with Assyria and Egypt, each against the other, would bring disaster was Israel's lying diplomacy.

"Bethel" the very spot where their father Jacob had dedicated his life to God (Genesis 28:13-15) was the center of their abominable idolarty.

v 1 Ephraim was involved with lies, violence and foreign alliances. Judah also was due for punishment.

 

v 3-6. The word “Jacob” in v 2 refers to the 12 tribes, but in v 3 “He” refers to Jacob personally. His heel grabbing at birth  showed what his future life would be like. However the Lord changed him at Bethel, and the nation should also turn to God.

 

 

 

v 7-11. Israel had become rich in spite of her dishonest practices, but as she had to live in tents leaving Egypt, she will live in tents in exile. They had ignored the prophets, so their altars would be destroyed in the coming invasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 12-14. Israel is reminded of Jacob’s humble beginning. God delivered them from Egypt by Moses, but now He was provoked to anger and they would be punished.