7 So then, come back to your God; keep mercy and right, and be waiting at all times on your God. 8 As for Canaan, the scales of deceit are in his hands; he takes pleasure in twisted ways. 9 And Ephraim said, Now I have got wealth and much property; in all my works no sin may be seen in me. 10 But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will give you tents for your living-places again as in the days of the holy meeting. 11 My word came to the ears of the prophets and I gave them visions in great number, and by the mouths of the prophets I made use of comparisons. 12 In Gilead there is evil. They are quite without value; in Gilgal they make offerings of oxen; truly their altars are like masses of stones in the hollows of a ploughed field. 13 And Jacob went in flight into the field of Aram, and Israel became a servant for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. 14 And by a prophet the Lord made Israel come up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was kept safe.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 12:7-14
Commentary on Hosea 12:7-14
(Read Hosea 12:7-14)
Ephraim became a merchant: the word also signifies a Canaanite. They carried on trade upon Canaanitish principles, covetously and with fraud and deceit. Thus they became rich, and falsely supposed that Providence favoured them. But shameful sins shall have shameful punishments. Let them remember, not only what a mighty prince Jacob was with God, but what a servant he was to Laban. The benefits we have had from the word of God, make our sin and folly the worse, if we put any slight upon that word. We had better follow the hardest labour in poverty, than grow rich by sin. We may form a judgment of our own conduct, by comparing it with that of ancient believers in the like circumstances. Whoever despises the message of God, will perish. May we all hear his word with humble, obedient faith.