Hosea 12: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Hosea 12 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Ephraim feeds on wind and chases the east wind, multiplying lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria and carry oil into Egypt (vv. 1-2).

Key verse

“Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.”
Hosea 12:6 (WEB)

Outline

Hosea 12:1–2 Israel's Futile Alliances
Hosea 12:3–5 Jacob's Struggles and God
Hosea 12:6–8 Call to Repentance
Hosea 12:9–11 God's Covenant and Judgment
Hosea 12:12–14 Consequences of Sin

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Ephraim feed on and chase after?
In v4, what struggle does the text mention that Jacob had with God?
Jacob's story in vv. 3-5: how does it connect with Israel's current situation?
In vv. 9-10, what does God mean by saying He will make them dwell in tents again?
When have you felt tempted to rely on 'dishonest scales' (v7) in a situation?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Hosea 12: Micah 6, Genesis 32, Joel 2.

Before next time: read Hosea 13.