1. Ephraim's deceit; God's grace (11:12-12:8)

Jacob was a deceiver who tasted the grace of God and was changed into a man of blessing. Now, Jacob's descendants were reverting to his deceptive ways--and God was displeased. Hosea reminds Israel of how Jacob had supplanted his brother, and how he had struggled with man and with God--and how he had talked with God at Bethel. Now was the time to return to God and talk with him again--not the time to boast about wealth acquired by deceitful means. Wealth cannot hide sin.

2. Listen to the prophets (12:9-14)

Israel had become rich and proud. God reminded them of how he had brought them out of slavery in Egypt and watched over them as they lived in tents in the desert. God's word came to his people through the prophets. He cared for his people through shepherd prophets like Jacob and Moses. To ignore God's word and seek help from Egypt or Assyria was to feed on the wind.

Application: Lord, help me to remember your grace, and to remember who I was. Help our people to return to you.
One Word: Listen to God's word