Come Back

Where are you heading in life? Have you thought about that in you day to day routine? The Lord is telling the tales of Ephraim /Israel. He has shown that there is much to be disappointed with in Jacob’s life. His battles with God are well known. God call is for Israel to return to Him. Wait for Him, He desire to lead and guide them. But the reality that they don’t want to return to Him, they want to their own way.

The reality of their desire is God allows them to have your way. If your way was going to result in trouble and heartache would you really want your own way?

Your way, will result in the way of destruction. Jesus’ way is the way to the Father. Why not seek His way?


Hos 12:1-14
1 Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt. 2 The Lord also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds. 3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God. 4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us, 5 Even the Lord, the God of hosts, The Lord is His name. 6 Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually. 7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, He loves to oppress. 8 And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin." 9 But I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival. 10 I have also spoken to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables. 11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps Beside the furrows of the field.
12 Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep. 13 But by a prophet the Lord brought Israel from Egypt, And by a prophet he was kept. 14 Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger; So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him And bring back his reproach to him. NASU

Explore for Yourself

What does Ephraim feed on? What does this mean?
Who is the Lord disputing with? What is the outcome?
What did Jacob do?
What is Israel to do? Why? How?
How does Ephraim describe their situation?
How does God respond to them? What concern does God have?
Describe their sacrifices and alters.
How did Israel get out of Egypt? How were they kept?
What will happen to Israel?