Hosea 12:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a similar vein, the wise teacher speaks of hardships, stating that 'the wise son will be saved from the heat, but the unrighteous son will meet with misfortune' (Proverbs 10:5). Thus, because Ephraim embodies a corrupt spirit, he 'persecuted those in distress' and willingly sought after this turmoil. However, those who comprehend God recognize, 'under His shadow, you shall ascend and find rest' (Song 2:3). This shadow represents the shelter of divine and lofty support. Yet Ephraim chose not this path, but instead sought the harshness of life. In what manner? - 'All day long he engaged in empty and fruitless endeavors,' meaning he consistently acted and plotted in vain. What does this signify? - 'A covenant with the Assyrians was established.' I have previously mentioned that some kings in Samaria and Jerusalem occasionally attempted to secure peace with the Assyrians using monetary bribes and sometimes called upon the Egyptians for assistance by procuring promises of support, accompanied by tributes, including the abundant produce of their lands. Samaria was rich in oil, while Egypt prized its oil, as that land had none. Thus, human hopes are futile, and one who places trust in God can deride those who trust in human strength, echoing the words of the Psalmist: 'Behold a man who does not place God as his helper, but trusts in the abundance of his wealth. Yet I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God: I have placed my trust in the mercy of God forever and ever' (Psalm 51:9-10).

Is it not ruinous and deceitful to send oil to Egypt while forming an alliance with the Assyrians? In a synecdochal sense, the oil symbolizes the gifts sent to Egypt. Some believe that the oil was not produced in Egypt but rather that Ephraim offered the most valuable oil, as Samaria had an abundance of it.

In a deeper allegorical interpretation, all heretics are influenced by the most malevolent of spirits, which the Apostle refers to when saying, "against the spirits of wickedness in high places." When an unclean spirit leaves a person and finds no place of rest, it gathers seven other spirits more wicked than itself and returns to its former abode. Thus motivated by the most evil spirit, they pursue the burning wind, which is detrimental to growth and life, relentlessly seeking vanity; their delusion grows rather than diminishes, attracting more followers into their deception. They also forge alliances with the Assyrians, whose pride leads them to believe in their own wisdom—this is the wisdom that God demolishes and from which the Apostle warns us to guard against, saying, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world."

Ephraim seeks to mix the oil of anointing with the doctrines of the Church, the oil used for anointing prophets and priests, and the kings as well. The saints possess this anointing oil, as noted in the Scriptures: "Thy sons shall be like olive plants round about thy table," and we see that our wild olive has been grafted into the good olive tree. However, despite their attempts to blend falsehood with truth, oil cannot mix with water and other liquids: truth always rises above, while falsehood remains below. Other forms of liquid—heretical teachings devoid of the oil of truth—may mix and form a single substance, but the oil destined for Egypt, which is taken from the holy land to Pharaoh's realm, the prophet dismisses, declaring, "Let not the oil of the wicked anoint my head."

This is what God describes as the sale of oil; He does not condemn commerce itself but suggests it signifies one of two interpretations: either they presented oil as a tribute to the king of Egypt, or they offered gold in order to curry his favor, pleading for his support.