Ephraim Feeds on the Wind

A history lesson used as our Father's lawsuit. Jacob grasped his brother's heel and wrestled at Bethel; his descendants now chase the east wind, make treaties with Assyria, and use dishonest scales while insisting nobody can find any guilt in them. Return, hold to love and justice, wait.

Our Father speaks in verses 9–10

Chapter 12.

Ephraim feeds on the wind and chases the east wind all day long; they pile up lies and violence. They make a treaty with Assyria, and their oil is carried off to Egypt. Our Father has a lawsuit with Judah, and he will hold Jacob accountable for his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him. In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and in his strength he wrestled with our Father. He wrestled with the messenger and prevailed; he wept and begged for his favor. At Bethel he found him, and there he spoke with us. The Father of heaven's armies—our Father is the name by which he is remembered. So you—return to your Father; hold fast to covenant love and justice, and wait for your Father continually.

A merchant with dishonest scales in his hand—he loves to oppress. Ephraim says, "Ah, but I have grown rich; I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they will find no guilt in me—nothing that is truly sin."

"But I am your Father, who brought you out from the land of Egypt; I will again make you live in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. ^a I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets I gave parables."

If Gilead is wickedness, they have come to nothing; in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls—their altars too are like heaps of stones on the furrows of a field. Jacob fled to the country of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he tended sheep. By a prophet our Father brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. Ephraim has stirred up bitter provocation; so his Sovereign Father will leave his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his contempt.