Hosea 12 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hosea 12.

Meditate on verses 4b-6 and 11.

He found Him at Bethel, and there He spoke with us,

even the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness and justice,

and wait for your God continually.

Is there iniquity in Gilead?  Surely they are worthless.

In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.

Yes, their altars are like stone heaps beside the furrows of the field.

Israel’s relationship with God was broken. This brokenness resulted in their inability to perceive wrongdoing:

1. Israel made relationships with foreign countries for security rather than trusting in God for their salvation (Hosea 12:1).

2. Israel assumed that since they were a rich country, they had no sin (Hosea 12:8).

3. In Gilgal, holy sacrifices were being offered, not in the temple on an altar by legitimate priests. Their altars at Gilgal would become like worthless piles of stones near a field (Hosea 12:11).

The LORD called for Israel to:

1. Return to Him.

2. Behave like Him, in kindness and justice.

3. Wait for Him to deliver them (Hosea 12:6).

These verses capture how to be a follower of “the LORD, the God of Hosts, the LORD is His name” (Hosea 12:5). Orient your life to God, emulate His nature, and trust Him.

Pray Hosea 12:4-6 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, the God of hosts, and I are weeping seeking Your favor.


Find us and speak to us.
We return to You, God.


Help us to observe kindness and justice.

 We wait continually for You.


In Your name, LORD~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell