Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Hosea 12 Devotional

From Grasping to Waiting

“But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.”Hosea 12:6 (BSB)

Ephraim feeds on the wind, piling up lies and violence and making deals with Assyria and Egypt (12:1). To show them who they have become, the LORD reaches back to their ancestor Jacob. In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and as a man he wrestled with God. He struggled with the angel and prevailed, yet he wept and pleaded for favor, and God met him at Bethel (12:3-4). The grasper ended up weeping for grace.

The call that follows is the heart of the chapter. Return to your God, hold on to love and justice, and wait on him continually (12:6). Ephraim instead imitates the dishonest merchant with rigged scales and boasts that his wealth proves he has done nothing wrong (12:7-8). But God reminds them that he has been their God ever since Egypt, that he spoke through prophets, and that by a prophet he brought Israel out and kept him (12:9-13). The God who met grasping Jacob still meets people who stop grasping and start waiting on him.

To think about: What are you grasping for in your own strength that God may be inviting you to wait on him for instead?

About Hosea 12: Jacob's Story and Ephraim's Deceit

God accuses Ephraim of lies and alliances with Assyria and Egypt, charges Judah, and recalls how Jacob struggled with God, wept for favor and met Him at Bethel. He calls them to return and wait on Him, but though He spoke through prophets and led Israel from Egypt by one, Ephraim's cheating and pride will be repaid.

Take the Hosea 12 quiz →Study notes

Get the next chapter and its devotional in your inbox each morning

One short email a day, no account needed. Stop anytime.