All things bear record · Hosea

Hosea 12

2 witnesses of Christ here, and 2 further echoes from the reading.

The Angel Jacob Wrestled

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Hosea 12:3–4

Hosea recalls Jacob wrestling with the angel and meeting God at Bethel, and in the next verse names that being as "the LORD God of hosts." Jacob said he had seen God face to face; Latter-day Saints understand that the God who appeared to the patriarchs was Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

A readingProphecy or typeHe appears
  • the same event in Genesis 32:24-30 — Jacob wrestles at Peniel: "I have seen God face to face."
  • the same event in Genesis 35:9-15 — God appears to Jacob again at Bethel and confirms the name Israel.

LORD God of Hosts

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, Lord of the armies of heaven

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. Hosea 12:5

The One Jacob met is identified as the LORD God of hosts, and His memorial, the name by which He is remembered, is the LORD, Jehovah.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • alludes to Exodus 3:15 — "The LORD God of your fathers... this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."

Jehovah Who Speaks in Similitudes

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. Hosea 12:9–10

Jehovah, who led Israel out of Egypt, says He taught through prophets, visions, and similitudes (symbols). The Book of Mormon teaches that such symbols were given to typify Christ.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Moses, the Delivering Prophet

And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Hosea 12:13

The prophet here is Moses, through whom the LORD delivered Israel. Moses himself foretold a greater Prophet like him, whom Peter and Nephi identify as Jesus Christ, the true Deliverer.

A readingEchoA person who is a type of Him
  • a type of what is in Acts 3:22-23 — Peter identifies Jesus as the Prophet like unto Moses.
  • a type of what is in 1 Nephi 22:20-21 — Nephi: the prophet like Moses "was the Holy One of Israel".