Hos 11:12-12:14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Hos 11:12-12:14: 11:12–12:14 Israel had perpetrated lies and deceit since the time of Jacob. Thematic note: God’s Absolute Holiness Holiness is the fundamental descriptor of who God is. It is not merely one of his many attributes; it is the key to his very being. Calling God “the Holy One” speaks to the transcendence of his nature, in sharp contrast to the finite creation, whose creatures are bound by time and space. God speaks of himself as “ I Am Who I Am ” (Exod 3:14 ), defining himself by himself. God is the Wholly Other, the One who is completely self-sufficient and distinct from the created order. God’s holiness also speaks of his character. It is common to describe God’s holiness in terms of his separation from sin and his wrath against it, but the notion of holiness embraces all of God’s character, including his mercy. God revealed himself to Moses as the “God of compassion and mercy.” He said, “I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” In his holiness, God shows this “unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty” (Exod 34:6-7 ). God’s holiness can be deadly to uninvited intruders (Isa 6:3 , 5 ; see Exod 28:35 ) or to those who treat it with contempt. His infinite holiness is too much for finite, fallen mortals and would utterly destroy them apart from God’s mercy. Understanding God’s holiness should thus trigger a response of awe and reverence. Anything less would be profane. Perhaps this was the error that cost Nadab and Abihu their lives (Lev 10:1-3 ). Only in recognizing the awesomeness of God can we appreciate his great love for us and worship him appropriately and authentically. Passages for Further Study Exod 3:14 ; 34:6-7 ; Lev 10:3 ; Lev 11:44-45 ; 1 Sam 2:1-2 ; Isa 6:3-5 ; 52:10 ; Hos 11:9

Summary for Hos 11:12-12:14: 11:12–12:14 ^a Israel had perpetrated lies and deceit since the time of Jacob.

Thematic note: God’s Absolute Holiness
Holiness is the fundamental descriptor of who God is. It is not merely one of his many attributes; it is the key to his very being. Calling God “the Holy One” speaks to the transcendence of his nature, in sharp contrast to the finite creation, whose creatures are bound by time and space. God speaks of himself as “I Am Who I Am” (Exod 3:14 ^b), defining himself by himself. God is the Wholly Other, the One who is completely self-sufficient and distinct from the created order.
God’s holiness also speaks of his character. It is common to describe God’s holiness in terms of his separation from sin and his wrath against it, but the notion of holiness embraces all of God’s character, including his mercy. God revealed himself to Moses as the “God of compassion and mercy.” He said, “I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” In his holiness, God shows this “unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty” (Exod 34:6-7 ^c).
God’s holiness can be deadly to uninvited intruders (Isa 6:3 ^d, 5 ^e; see Exod 28:35 ^f) or to those who treat it with contempt. His infinite holiness is too much for finite, fallen mortals and would utterly destroy them apart from God’s mercy. Understanding God’s holiness should thus trigger a response of awe and reverence. Anything less would be profane. Perhaps this was the error that cost Nadab and Abihu their lives (Lev 10:1-3 ^g). Only in recognizing the awesomeness of God can we appreciate his great love for us and worship him appropriately and authentically.

Passages for Further Study
Exod 3:14 ^h; 34:6-7 ⁱ; Lev 10:3 ^j; Lev 11:44-45 ^k; 1 Sam 2:1-2 ^l; Isa 6:3-5 ^m; 52:10 ⁿ; Hos 11:9 ^o

‏ Hosea 12

12:1 ^p alliance with Assyria: In order to save his land, Hoshea became a vassal of King Shalmaneser of Assyria (2 Kgs 17:3 ^q). Hoshea soon rebelled against Shalmaneser by withholding tribute and turned to King So of Egypt for support (2 Kgs 17:4 ^r).

• east wind: See study note on Job 38:24-27.
12:3 ^s Jacob struggled with his brother (literally he supplanted his brother): This verb (Hebrew ‘aqab) forms the root of Jacob’s name. Even before he was born, Jacob acted out the meaning of his name by supplanting his brother Esau (Gen 25:26 ^t).

• As an adult, Jacob even fought with God (see Gen 32:22-30 ^u) and was renamed “Israel,” meaning “God fights.”
12:4 ^v at Bethel he met God: See Gen 28:11-22 ^w.
12:6 ^x The Lord admonished Israel to live no longer as Jacob did, but to return to God and act with love and justice.
Summary for Hos 12:7-8: 12:7-8 ^y During the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), Israelite merchants became fabulously wealthy, often by using deceitful business practices like dishonest scales (see Amos 8:5-6 ^z).

• The Hebrew term translated merchants is kena‘an (“Canaan”). Canaanite traders were notorious in the ancient world for their crafty dealings. The Israelites had imitated their pagan neighbors not only in religion but also in commerce.
12:9 ^aa I will make you live in tents again: God’s judgment on the wealthy Israelite merchants was for them to return to the humble dwellings of the Exodus. There is also a word of hope here: God’s plan of salvation for Israel would begin anew in the wilderness (see 2:14-15 ^ab).
12:11 ^ac Gilead and Gilgal were Israelite cities in which Baal was worshiped instead of the Lord (see 4:15 ^ad; 6:8 ^ae; 9:15 ^af).
12:13 ^ag by a prophet: Moses’ faithful obedience to God contrasts with Israel’s disobedience.