Hosea 12 continues God’s stringent condemnation of Israel sometimes referring to Ephraim as Israel and comparing them with faithful Jacob despite his imperfections. “Ephraim feeds on the wind… and makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt…. the Lord will punish Jacob… as a man he struggled with God… you must return to your God… Ephraim boasts about his riches thinking that it will hide his iniquity… I am the Lord your God… I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions… but Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger… the Lord will repay him for his contempt”.
