These chapters form a history lesson that reveals the sins of the people as Hosea reviews the history of Israel and of Jacob.
Ingratitude (11:1–4). Israel took for granted their covenant relationship with the Lord, forgetting that He chose them (Deut. 7:6–11). In love He delivered a child from Egypt, carried him, fed him, and taught him to walk and work; and that child abandoned Him for idols. What ingratitude!
Hardness of heart (11:5–11). They followed their own plans and gave no thought to the will of God. When God rebuked them, they did not repent. The soil of their hearts was hard (10:12), but God’s heart was tender toward them. He could not destroy them as He did the cities of the plain (Gen. 14:2, 8). No, one day He will call for them with a lion’s roar, and they will come with trembling hearts.
Deceitfulness (11:12–12:6). Both Israel and Judah (the southern kingdom) are included in this message. The prophet reviews the history of Jacob their founder and sees his deceit in his descendants. Jacob tried to trip up Esau at birth (Gen. 25:26); he fought with God (Gen. 32:22–32); but he returned to Bethel and found God’s blessing again (Gen. 35). The time had come for Israel and Judah to return to God and repent of their sins (12:6).
Boasting (12:7–14). “I have become rich!” was their boast, but it was an empty boast and just a lot of wind (12:1). Why? Because they made their money deceitfully by cheating the poor, and such wealth can never last. Read and ponder Revelation 3:14–22.
