Haftora for Vayeitzei: Hosea Chapter 11-12

Ephraim has engaged in deceit and plunder, and makes illicit treaties with Assyria about oil. The prophet Hosea says Adonai is disappointed as his people “waiver whether to return to me,” and seems to ponder how to make this wayward group better:

“How shall I give you, Ephraim? Deliver you, O Israel? How shall I make you as Adamah, make you as Zeboyim? My hard is turned within Me, together My remorse has been kindled.”

Here we are seeing a reference to good ol’ Free Will as not even G-d can just “make” people behave any certain way. Despite the disappointment, Hosea conveys a promise of restraint:

“I will not execute the kindling of My anger…For I am God and not a man. In your midst is the Holy One, and I will not enter a city.”

So we have Ephraim who realizes he can get farther ahead being an [Read more…]