CHAPTER 12

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 Bethel, 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.

Israel was not only immersed in idolatry, they were also corrupt in international trading. They made treaties with Assyria, but traded "oil" (olive oil) with Egypt, who was Assyria's enemy. God would use this deceitful trading to anger the nations who would come against them. Do not forget that God is IN CONTROL of international affairs.

Judah, while faithful in worship at this time, is also acting deceitfully. Here God compares them to Jacob who deceived Essau. However, God heard Jacob when he cried out in faith. God will also here any repentant sould who cries to Him in faith.

"Therefore," God says, they should turn to Him in repentance and "keep mercy and judgment." If one genuinely turns to God in repentance, he will want to live according to God's Word and will.

Let me reiterate, the Hebrew word for "wait" is qavah. It means to bind together by twisting. Yes we are to wait expectantly upon God for His help and deliverance. But while we are doing so, we are to be bound in His Word and will and serving accordingly.

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.

Israel had found riches in mercantile trading. But they were constantly using decietful practices. They had learned to be like the "Canaanite." They worshipped idols and cheated in trading.

Yet they believed they were "good" people (see vs 8b).

But God saw their sin! God had once made them to live in tents when they were saved from the slavery of Egypt. And He would again make them live in tents when they were taken into slavery by Assyria.

Be sure, oh man, God sees all sins. None are "good." All need saving from the slavery of sin. And all saved sinners need the help of God to continue living according to God's Word and will.

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.

The nation of Israel had heard prophet after prophet telling them of their sin, yet they refused to repent.

God says their iniquity is so great they are "vanity" (morally bankrupt)! They demonstrated this iniquity by having altars to idols.

Men in the world demonstrate sin by trusting in idols rather than in God.

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.

When Jacob fled from Essau (because of his trickery), he served 14 years for a wife. But God saved him. And God saved Israel out of Egypt by a "prophet" - Moses. He sent the prophets to Israel now, but men would not repent.

The nation ("Ephraim") had "provoked" God. And punishment was on the way if they did not repent.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.