Hosea 12:1
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Ephraim stands for the apostate ten-tribe nation, which led the tribes in apostasy. Its leaders were weakened by continued wrongdoing and keenly felt the loss of prestige, yet they refused full repentance and refused to turn away from the practices that had weakened the kingdom. Instead of changing course, they flattered themselves that alliances with heathen nations would restore political power and prestige when opportunity arose. The covenant with Assyria means reliance on Assyria by formal political alliance, and the oil carried into Egypt means seeking Egypt to regain power, as part of reliance on heathen nations including appeals to Egypt rather than changing course.
They pursued this heathen alliance while broken in judgment and unable to discern the disastrous outcome of their evil course. While following it they daily increased lies, cast off good, and failed to recognize that strangers were devouring their strength. In doing so they stood in imminent danger of utter destruction as wanderers among the nations.