• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Ephraim feeds on the wind"

Text: Hosea 12:1

PROFOUND IMAGERY

Sometimes profound imagery is employed to communicate deep thoughts. We have an example here.

“Ephraim feeds on the wind,
And pursues the east wind;
He daily increases lies and desolation.
Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians,
And oil is carried to Egypt.”
Hosea 12:1

1. “Ephraim feeds on the wind”

a) Of course, one cannot feed on the wind.

b) Wind is therefore an imagery.

c) Ephraim feeding on wind would end up being hungry for wind cannot satisfy hunger.

2. “And pursues the east wind”

a) This wind originates from the East.

b) It is a reference to learning from idolatrous and wicked ways from the East rather than from God.

c) Ephraim both feeds on the wind (identified as the “east wind”).

3. The East wind

a) It is associated with destruction.

b) The East wind brought locusts of great destruction on Egypt (Exodus 10:13).

c) What Israel was pursuing would lead to its own destruction.

4. The things that would lead to the demise of the nation

a) “He daily increases lies and desolation.”

i) Lying cannot but lead to desolation.

ii) These were obvious things, but Israel was still bent on sinning.

b) Making of covenants

i) These may be seen as binding treaties.

ii) Israel wanted to form allies with Assyria thinking they would be safe.

iii) They read Assyria wrongly.

iv) The Assyrians would destroy Israel in 722 BC.

c) “Oil is carried to Egypt”

i) This describes a treaty with Egypt, relying on its power to fend off other hostile nations.

ii) Israel would supply oil from their olive plantations as part of the treaty agreement.