Hosea 12:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

While we would not claim that the infant in the womb personally caused the demise of Esau, we acknowledge that God inspired this action before Jacob's birth, knowing he would grow to be virtuous. This is reflected in God's declaration: 'I love Jacob, but I hate Esau' (Malachi 1:2). This preference was rooted in God's gracious choice, favoring the one whom He foresaw would navigate life righteously.

As Jacob matured to manhood, he diligently directed his efforts towards God. He did not falter even when God led him into arduous tasks, which were no small feat—leaving his father's home, serving Laban, and tending to sheep were indeed challenging labors. Both he and his brother, despite the hardships, resolved to work faithfully for God’s purpose, not resisting divine guidance but rather triumphant in fulfilling God's commands. Although Jacob could have chosen a life of ease and wealth at home, God strategically placed him in circumstances requiring toil, as he fled from Esau, leading him to unfamiliar territories and to bear significant burdens. Yet in the midst of his struggles, Jacob maintained genuine devotion to God, thus becoming a figure of admiration.

He not only focused his efforts on God but also triumphed with the Angel, who contended with him in a divine form. In this encounter, while the angel 'overcame' Jacob, he expressed profound gratitude for their struggle, stating: 'I saw God face to face, and my soul was saved' (Genesis 32:30). This wrestle with the angel foreshadowed the mystery of Christ, as the descendants of Jacob would later oppose the very Christ whom prophecy referred to as the great messenger of the council (Isaiah 9:6). Many rejected His offer of salvation; others failed to acknowledge that through Him they had beheld the one true God, for in the person of Immanuel, He revealed the Father, asserting, 'He who sees me sees the Father' (John 14:9). Thus, Jacob's struggle serves as a symbol of a sacred sacrament, reflecting the grace that God attributes to Jacob’s perseverance.

The Lord has judgment with Judah, promising to avenge Jacob based on his deeds and actions. While still in the womb, he killed his brother, and through his toil, he triumphed over God, becoming stronger in the presence of the angel. Weeping and pleading for me, they found me at the house of ὢν, where it was declared that the Lord God Almighty is his memorial. Therefore, turn to your God, maintain mercy and justice, and draw near to Him continually.

Ephraim has led us astray, embracing falsehoods to the extent of wavering between two nations, aligning with the Assyrians and sending tribute to Egypt. Now, I have judgment with Judah, and my visitation extends to Jacob. Through this visitation, the Lord brings calamities and chastisements, ensuring that after justly rewarding Ephraim, He also recompenses Judah, a descendant of Jacob, as per his actions. Judah did not fall by mere chance, nor due to human frailty, but rather sought and created opportunities for sin.

Judah, or Jacob, received numerous blessings, recognized as a son through his father’s lineage; the previous history is recounted to underscore both God’s mercy towards Jacob and his steadfastness in resisting the Lord. Even in Rebekah's womb, he bested his brother Esau—not by his own strength, as he lacked reasoning ability, but by God’s mercy, who knows and loves those whom He has chosen.

Not only did he kill his brother in utero, but he also wrestled with the angel through the night at the river (Genesis 32). Because he stood firm against the angel, he received the name εὐθυτάτου, a Hebrew term meaning straight or upright. He overcame the angel and grew stronger through the blessing given by the angel he had conquered. The angel was implored by Jacob, declaring he would not let him go without a blessing. Following the guidance of his parents, he fled to Mesopotamia, only to encounter the same angel at Bethel, who communicated with him, speaking to his children as well, showing love towards Judah through Jacob. This remembrance of the name given to him by God has remained preserved.

Therefore, O Judah, emulate your father, weep and appeal to the Lord of Hosts, turning your heart toward Him. Uphold mercy and justice, and while doing so, place your trust in your God at all times, excelling in virtue through righteous deeds. In contrast to the Hebrew text, which mentions Jacob's plea, the common version states, “They cried and sought Me at the house of ὢν.” Here, ὢν conveys sorrow. Thus, those who weep and repent earnestly in their hearts and call upon the Lord will surely find Him.

Through Judas, we recognize a member of the Church chastised by the Lord for forgetting the many blessings he has received, stacking sin upon sin. It is highlighted what these blessings entail. When the Church bore you—born through faith—you killed your brother, be they Jew or Gentile, gaining his birthright, and because of your strength, you stood triumphantly before the angel, whether by conquering evil forces or being fortified by the angel’s blessing, who is God Himself. You figuratively overcame the angel to triumph over humanity and grew stronger in spirit.

Having claimed victory, you began to weep and beseech the angel of the Lord, reflecting on your past sins, and found him at Bethel, the house of God, symbolizing the Church or in the house of ὢν, representative of tribulation, tears, and repentance. To clarify who Judas is, it is said, “there he spoke to us,” directing this message toward us Christians. From that moment onward, we bear the name of Christ, who corrects and sustains us. Therefore, as a member of the Church, known as Judas and confessor, continually turn in repentance to your Lord. If you sin, follow the example of the prophet: “I will wash my bed with my sighs; I will moisten my couch with my tears” (Psalm 6:7).

Moreover, do not limit yourself to these words; uphold God’s commandments and show mercy to others to receive mercy in return. Judge righteously so that you may be judged by the standard you use, and rely on your God always, drawing near to Him continually and excelling in virtue at all times.

In this context, the same being is referred to both as God and as Angel, a distinction also utilized by the blessed Moses. For our Lord Jesus Christ is identified by Isaiah as both a Mighty God and an angel of great counsel (Isaiah 9:6). I have heard your weeping and prayers; in the house of Onoba, they found Me, and there I spoke to them. Other interpreters such as Aquila, Simmachus, and Theodotion conveyed that Jacob cried out, pleaded, and encountered Him at Bethel, because Jacob, fleeing from his brother's hostility and journeying to his uncle Laban, received revelation from God at Bethel and the accompanying promises. He heard, “Do not be afraid, Jacob, I am with you” (Genesis 28:13, 15). It is likely that Jacob, in tears, uttered these words: “If the Lord provides me with food and clothing, and brings me back in peace, then the Lord will be my God; and this stone that I have set up will be a house of God, and of all that You give me, I will surely give back a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:20-22). Upon returning to that place, he recalled, “With this staff I crossed the Jordan, and now I am two camps” (Genesis 32:10). Thus, the interpretations of Aquila and Symmachus reflect the belief that God revealed Himself to Jacob at Bethel, where the idol of Ones is now venerated. The Septuagint's transition from singular to plural encourages understanding this as a message: your ancestor garnered My favor through his faith, but you have strayed and, though intending to repent, did not return to My temple but sought help before the idol of Ones. Despite this disrespect, I still appeared to you, and in the places where you called upon Me, I responded. This is affirmed by the prophet Amos, who delivered his prophecies in Bethel, the location of the idol of Ones, and where Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, admonished him, “Leave for the land of Judah; do not prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary” (Amos 7:12, 13). The Lord Almighty will be His remembrance. Show mercy and justice, and draw near to your God at all times. With such a Sovereign Lord, who rules over all, always keep Him in your thoughts, hold onto the truth, be kind to your neighbor, and faithfully follow God's commands. By doing so, as you approach God, you will find Him to be a ready intercessor.