Hos 12.1-14 tells us about the contention Yehovah has against Israel and Judah. As a result, judgment is coming if there is no repentance.
v 1…Ephraim feeds on the wind (getting nothing by going to Egypt for help and Baal worship, etc), and pursues the east wind continually (the poisonous and harmful influences from the east); he multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria (but the tribute was too high so King Hoshea broke that covenant), and oil is carried to Egypt (seeking their help-Hoshea is playing both sides).
v 2…The Lord (Yehovah) also has a dispute with Judah (they were going into idolatry too, but not as bad as Israel quite yet), and will punish Jacob according to his ways (Israel, the ten tribes); he will repay him according to his ways (as he deserves).
v 3…In the womb he took his brother by the heel (they were to imitate Jacob and strive for the birthright), and in his maturity he contended with God (to secure the blessing- (Gen 32.24).
v 4…Yes, he (Jacob) wrestled with the angel and prevailed; he (Jacob) wept and sought his favor. He found him (Yehovah) at Bethel (Gen 28) and there he (Yehovah) spoke with us (what Yehovah said applied to them also);
v 5…even the Lord, the God of Hosts (Yehovah Tzavaot or Lord of the armies); the Lord (Yehovah) is his name.
v 6…Therefore return to your God, observe mercy and justice (as defined in the Torah-Mic 6.8; Zech 7.9; Matt 23.23); and wait (serve) for your God continually.
v 7…A merchant (trafficker), in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.
8…And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they will find in me no iniquity which would be sin (they were blind toward their own sin).”
v 9…But I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of the appointed festival (this alludes to Sukkot and this means they will need to depend on God, not their own strength and riches).
v 10…I have also spoken to the prophets, and I gave numerous visions, and through the prophets I gave parables (he stayed in touch with his people).
v 11…Is there iniquity in Gilead (yes)? Surely they are worthless (the idols). In Gilead they sacrifice bulls (alludes to their bull god there), yes, their altars are like the stone heaps beside the furrows of the field (thrown there by the plowman; their altars were worthless).
v 12…Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, and Israel (Jacob) worked for a wife (Rachel), and for a wife he kept sheep (Jacob worked but he descendants have been blessed).
v 13…But by a prophet (Moses) the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he (Jacob) was kept (by the intercession of Moses, at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, etc).
v 14…Ephraim (the northern tribes) has provoked to bitter anger (in spite of all these blessings God has given); so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him (just as they shed blood, worshiped calves or other gods, their reproach on God and his prophets will return on their own heads).
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