Hosea 12

Hosea prophesied during a time of great economic prosperity but spiritual and moral decline. They couldn't feel need to continual repentance when life was going so well for them. And so he criticises Israel for trusting in idols and national security despite all the warnings from God and previous prophets. He calls them useless as if "Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind", in terms of meteorology the east wind was and still is, in all countries dangerous and destructive especially for sailors. God compares Israel to their forefather Jacob the heel-catcher, someone who achieved his wealth by dishonest measures. Israel wrestles with God, refusing to submit to Him but will eventually succumb through chastising and return to God. We are so weak that we can never return to Him without His help.

Pray/response:
- give tithes to church, let this be a reminder where my resources truly come from
- stop wrestling with God's people and succumb