Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
The imagery of feeding on and pursuing the wind speaks to me. I feel I’ve done my fair share of both, with just as little to show for it as Ephraim. The wind is intangible. It cannot sustain, it cannot be caught, yet we can spend our whole lives caught in its pursuit if we lose sight of our center, our foundation, our portion and our cup, the One who makes our lot secure (Psalm 16:5).
Hosea 12:4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there—
Ephraim, the Israelites, lost sight of Who their center was. They chased after the wind, they tried to lean on worldly powers. They completely lost sight of Hosea 12:6: “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” And even as I’m tempted to chastise them for their actions, I am powerfully aware that there is little difference between them and me when I examine my own willfulness and pride.
Hosea 12:5 the Lord God Almighty, the Lord is his name!
Lord, I continue to be humbled by Your love and care, by Your desire for me to realize and live Hosea 12:6. Returning to You and waiting for You is so much easier said than done for me in my quest for self sufficiency. But when I lose sight of You, maintaining love and justice become selfish activities because I am at the center. That is Your place, Lord. Help me. Amen.
Hosea 12:6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Have a blessed day.