Hosea 11:12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
The verse sets forth two distinct and opposing classes standing in contrast to one another. On one side are Ephraim and the house of Israel, who surround God with lies and deceit. On the other side is Judah, who still rules with God and remains faithful with the saints.
To be compassed about with lies and deceit is to belong to disaffected elements who introduce false theories and false representations. Such ones make war against the messages God sends by opposing them and holding them up to ridicule. In doing so they make crooked paths for their feet.
To rule with God and be faithful with the saints is to hold fast in faith to God's work both in the past and in the present. It is to refuse to depart from the faith once delivered to the saints. There is no excuse for unbelief or for rejecting the messages God sends, for every word He speaks will be verified.
This faithfulness also consists in true and hearty obedience to the commandments of God. Such obedience renders service acceptable to Him. It secures aid from on high to every contrite soul. By contrast, to treat His commandments as a strange thing turns all worship into sin, no matter how exalted that worship may appear.