[Preliminary
Comment: This present chapter,
Part
1, confronts Israel
with their sins [v.1] and warns of judgment [v.2] but then
Part
2, reminds this
present people of their heritage, where they came from – their
original father, Jacob, a struggler [v.3], a wrestler with God
[v.4] – as if to shame them to recognise He is the Almighty One
[v.5] so they will learn to turn back to Him [v.6] and
Part
3, turn away from
their unrighteous behaviour [v.7,8], because He WILL send them
into exile to live in tents again, just like they did when they
left Egypt [v.9]. They should remember He has always sent prophets
to warn them [v.10] and so as they disregard them and continue
in idolatry their idols will be destroyed [v.11].
Part
4, again, to realise
the reality of this, remember how God had led Jacob when he fled
to look for a wife [v.12], how later He used Moses to deliver
Israel from Egypt [v.13] and despite all this they still turn
to their idols [v.14].
Everything
about this chapter says
•
remember your past history, where you
came from,
•
remember the Lord had been there for
you,
•
and realise you should learn from this
and repent and save yourselves [implied].
A
chapter of warnings to learn from the past to save yourselves
in the present. Yet again, the Lord is persevering with this foolish
people, trying to bring them to their senses.]
PART
ONE: v.1-2: Face your Sin and Judgment [1]
v.1
Israel
continues to ‘chase the wind', turning to both Egypt and Assyria
v.1
Ephraim
feeds on the wind;
he pursues the east wind all day
and multiplies lies and violence.
He makes a treaty with Assyria
and sends olive oil to Egypt.
v.2
Judah also will be punished for their wrong doings
v.2
The
Lord has a charge to bring against Judah;
he will punish Jacob according to his
ways
and repay him according to his deeds.
PART
TWO: v.3-6: Learn from the Past [1]
v.3
From birth Jacob had been a struggler [Gen
25:26]
v.3
In
the womb he grasped his brother's heel;
as a man he struggled with God.
v.4
He wrested with God [Gen 32:24] but was blessed at Bethel [Gen
35:9,10]
v.4
He
struggled with the angel and overcame him;
he wept and begged for his favour.
He found him at Bethel
and talked with him there –
v.5
Remember this was the Sovereign Lord dealing with him
v.5
the
Lord God Almighty,
the Lord is his name!
v.6
So they must learn from this and return to Him
v.6
But
you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always.
PART
THREE: v.7-11: Face your Sin and Judgment [2]
v.7
Dishonest merchants love to defraud
v.7
The
merchant uses dishonest scales
and loves to defraud.
v.8
And Israel thought her prosperity would protect her
v.8
Ephraim
boasts,
‘I am very rich; I have become wealthy.
With all my wealth they will not find in me
any iniquity or sin.'
v.9
But He will send them into exile to live in tents, just like they
had started out
v.9
‘I
have been the Lord your God
ever since you came out of Egypt;
I will make you live in tents again,
as in the days of your appointed festivals.
v.10
God had spoken to them again and again as a privileged nation
v.10
I
spoke to the prophets,
gave them many visions
and told parables through them.'
v.11
The idolatry seen in Gilead and Gilgal will be reduced to nothing
v.11
Is
Gilead wicked?
Its people are worthless!
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?
Their altars will be like piles of stones
on a ploughed field.
PART
FOUR: v.12-14: Learn from the Past [2]
v.12
Remember how Jacob fled and got wives [Gen 29:20]
v.12
Jacob
fled to the country of Aram;
Israel served to get a wife,
and to pay for her he tended sheep.
v.13
In the fulness of time He used Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt
v.13
The
Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt,
by a prophet he cared for him.
v.14
But now, despite this, this northern kingdom's guilt will bring
judgement on them
v.14
But
Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;
his Lord will leave on him the guilt of
his bloodshed
and will repay him for his contempt.
Continue
to Chapter 13