Hosea, 12
4. He strove with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with him --
4. He strove with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with him --
Hosea Chapter 12 begins with a retrospective of Jacob's history, emphasizing his misleading nature and his struggles with God, and then turns to Israel's present situation, exhorting them to repent and return to the Lord. The verses related to the topics addressed in Hosea 12 are:
Genesis 32:28: "Then said man, 'Thou shalt not call you Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and overcome.'" This verse refers to the history of Jacob mentioned at the beginning of Hosea chapter 12 where he fought with God and was renamed Israel, meaning "He who fights with God."
Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, 'I am what I am. And added,' Thou shalt say to the Israelites, I am sent me to you. '" This verse relates to the message of Hosea 12:9, where God accuses Israel of forgetting his name and sovereignty.
Isaiah 44:22: "I deleted your transgressions as the mist, and your sins, like the cloud. Go back to me, for I rescued him." This verse expresses God's invitation to repentance and the promise of forgiveness, which is a central theme of Hosea Chapter 12.
Jeremiah 31:9: "With crying will come, but with consolation I will guide them. I will take them to the water streams, on a right path in which they will not stumble, because I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn." In this verse, God shakes Himself of Israel, promising comfort and guide, as in Hosea 12:6, where God exhorts Israel to turn to Him and wait for His judgment and comfort.
Zechariah 10:12: "I will strengthen them in the Lord, and will walk in His name," this verse expresses the confidence that Israel must deposit in God, which is the final message of Hosea chapter 12.
“Comunguemos com santo temor e com grande amor.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
