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. →

Ah, Hosea 12. Ya gotta love it! Ya know, this chapter is all about Ephraim, and how he's running around, doing all kinds of crazy things. He's been making all kinds of trouble for God, and God ain't too happy about it. →

Joe: Alright, so tell us about Hosea 12! Bible Expert: Yes! So Hosea 12 is all about the prophet Hosea's denunciation of the nation of Israel for their sins and idolatry. He chastises them for their reliance on foreign gods and for relying on the strength of foreign nations instead of on God. →

Alex: Alright, contestant, let's hear a little bit about yourself! Contestant: Well, I'm a big fan of the Bible, and I'd love to tell you about Hosea 12. Alex (Frustrated): Ugh, not the Bible again. Can't you tell me about something else? →

ATTENTION! LISTEN UP! Hosea 12. This book is about a prophet named Hosea. He was sent by God to warn the people of Israel about their sins. He speaks of how the people have been unfaithful to God and have turned away from Him. →

Batman: Ah, Hosea Chapter 12. The Lord had often reproached the Israelites for their sins and false gods. Robin: How right you are, Batman! The Lord calls out the Israelites for their idolatry, lack of faith, and lack of love for God. →

Listen, Jack, this is Hosea 12, it's all about Jacob! See here, Jack, my father used to say that Jacob was a bit of a troublemaker. No malarkey! Or uh, you know, it starts off with the Lord punishing him for his sins and stuff, but then you get to verse 13 and he starts to show mercy. →

Hosea 12 tells the story of how Jacob, a great leader and beloved by God, tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and Jacob's descendants, the Israelites, kept up the same trickery. This made God very angry, and He said there would be consequences for their actions. →

Peter: Alright, so this is Hosea 12. It's all about God's people, the Israelites, being disobedient, right? Lois: Right. God is punishing them for their sins, but he still loves them and wants them to repent. →