Hosea 12–13: Where Is Your King Now to Save You?": Jacob, the Merchant, and the Grave
Scripture: Berean Standard Bible
Ephraim chases the windand pursues the east wind all day long;he multiplies lies and violence;he makes a covenant with Assyriaand sends olive oil to Egypt.
The LORD also brings a charge against Judah.He will punish Jacob according to his waysand repay him according to his deeds.In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,and in his vigor he wrestled with God.Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed;he wept and sought his favor;he found him at Betheland spoke with him there —the LORD is the God of Hosts—the LORD is his name of renown.But you must return to your God,maintaining love and justice,and always waiting on your God.
A merchant loves to defraudwith dishonest scales in his hands.And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!I have found wealth for myself.In all my labors, they can find in meno iniquity that is sinful.”
But I am the LORD your Godever since the land of Egypt.I will again make you dwell in tents,as in the days of the appointed feast.I spoke through the prophetsand multiplied their visions;I gave parables through the prophets.Is there iniquity in Gilead?They will surely come to nothing.Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stonesin the furrows of the field.
Jacob fled to the land of Aramand Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,and by a prophet he was preserved.
Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon himand repay him for his contempt.When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;he was exalted in Israel.But he incurred guilt through Baal,and he died.
Now they sin more and moreand make for themselves cast images,idols skillfully made from their silver,all of them the work of craftsmen.People say of them,“They offer human sacrificeand kiss the calves!”Therefore they will be like the morning mist,like the early dew that vanishes,like chaff blown from a threshing floor,like smoke through an open window.
Yet I am the LORD your Godever since the land of Egypt;you know no God but me,for there is no Savior besides me.I knew you in the wilderness,in the land of drought.When they had pasture,they became satisfied;when they were satisfied,their hearts became proud,and as a result they forgot me.So like a lion I will pounce on them;like a leopard I will lurk by the path.Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them,and I will tear open their chests.There I will devour them like a lion,like a wild beast would tear them apart.
You are destroyed, O Israel,because you are against me—against your helper.
Where is your king nowto save you in all your cities,and the rulers to whom you said,“Give me a king and princes”?So in my anger I gave you a king,and in my wrath I took him away.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up;his sin is stored up.Labor pains come upon him,but he is an unwise son.When the time arrives,he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb.
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol;I will redeem them from Death.Where, O Death, are your plagues?Where, O Sheol, is your sting?
Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Although he flourishes among his brothers,an east wind will come—a wind from the LORDrising up from the desert.His fountain will fail,and his spring will run dry.The wind will plunder his treasuryof every precious article.
Samaria will bear her guiltbecause she has rebelled against her God.They will fall by the sword;their little ones will be dashed to pieces,and their pregnant women ripped open.