1-5. Ephraim, obsessed with god-fantasies,chases ghosts and phantoms.He tells lies nonstop,soul-destroying lies.Both Ephraim and Judah made deals with Assyriaand tried to get an inside track with Egypt.God is bringing charges against Israel.Jacob’s children are hauled into court to be punished.In the womb, that heel, Jacob, got the best of his brother.When he grew up, he tried to get the best of God.But God would not be bested.God bested him.Brought to his knees,Jacob wept and prayed.God found him at Bethel.That’s where he spoke with him.God is God-of-the-Angel-Armies,God-Revealed, God-Known.
12-14. Are you going to repeat the life of your ancestor Jacob?He ran off guilty to Aram,Then sold his soul to get ahead,and made it big through treachery and deceit.Your real identity is formed through God-sent prophets,who led you out of Egypt and served as faithful pastors.As it is, Ephraim has continuallyand inexcusably insulted God.Now he has to pay for his life-destroying ways.His Master will do to him what he has done.