In no part even of the difficult Book of Hosea does the sacred text bristle with more problems. It may well be doubted whether the verses lie in their proper order, or, if they do, whether we have them entire as they came from the prophet, for the connection is not always perceptible.[613] We cannot believe, however, that the chapter is a bundle of isolated oracles, for the analogy between Jacob and his living posterity runs through the whole of it,[614] and the refrain that God must requite upon the nation their deeds is found both near the beginning and at the end of the chapter.[615] One is tempted to take the two fragments about the Patriarch (vv. 4, 5, and 13 f.) by themselves, and the more so that ver. 8 would follow so suitably on either ver. 2 or ver. 3. But this clue is not sufficient; and till one more evident is discovered, it is perhaps best to keep to the extant arrangement.[616] As before, the argument starts from the falseness of Israel, which is illustrated in the faithlessness of their foreign relations. _Ephraim hath compassed Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah_ ...[617] _Ephraim herds the wind_[618] _and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud:_[619] _they strike a bargain with Assyria, and carry oil to Egypt_, as Isaiah also complained.[620] _Jehovah hath a quarrel with Israel_[621] _and is about to visit upon Jacob his ways; according to his deeds will He requite him. In the womb he supplanted his brother, and in his man's strength he wrestled with God._[622] _Yea, he wrestled with_ the _Angel and prevailed; he wept and besought of Him mercy. At Bethel he met with Him, and there He spake with him_[623] (or _with us_--that is, in the person of our father)....[624] _So thou by thy God_--by His help,[625] for no other way is possible except, like thy father, through wrestling with Him--_shouldest return: keep leal love and justice, and wait on thy God without ceasing_.[626] To this passage we shall return in dealing with Hosea's doctrine of Repentance. In characteristic fashion the discourse now swerves from the ideal to the real state of the people.