Jacob Fled to Syria - Hosea 12:12

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God asked, “Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yes, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields”, and in chapter twelve and verse twelve of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Jacob fled into the country of Syria” where we read,

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

The verse begins, “And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, ...” Hosea began with the words, “and Jacob” whose name means “heel holder or supplanter” and was “the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel” “fled into the country” which means “was put to flight, made haste, ran and drove away to the land, field, plain and land” “of Syria” or “belonging to Syria or Aram whose name means exalted and was the name for the Syrian or Aramean people”,  “and Israel” which means “and Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name for the descendants and nation of descendants of Jacob” “served for a wife” or “and worked, labored and was compelled to work on behalf of a female spouse”. Hosea recalled how “Jacob” made flight to the land of “Syria” where he labored as a servant for his “wife”. (See Genesis 29:18-28) 

The verse continues, “... and for a wife he kept sheep.” Hosea added the words, “and for a wife” or “and on behalf of a female spouse” “he kept sheep” which means “he, Jacob, guarded, observed, gave heed to and had charge of small cattle known as sheep”. Hosea shared how “Jacob” also worked as a sheep or cattle herder for his wife.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Hosea referred to more of the story of “Jacob” whom God was leading. “Jacob” worked for seven years his wife “Rachel” but was deceived by his father-in-law and was given her sister “Leah” instead, and because he loved “Rachel” so dearly, he worked an additional seven years for her. God meant to bless “Jacob” so that all the nations of the world would come to know Him through them. God loves people, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world through the people of “Israel” to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to trust Him wherever He leads and with whomever He directs our lives to accompany. 

Next time Hosea says, “by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".