🌾 Hosea 12

Hosea 12 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”” Hosea 12 opens with these words: “Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil…” The line to keep is Hosea 12:6: “Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Carry the word “turn” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is Hosea 12:6: “Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in Hosea 12? Then try this: Read “Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.