READ: Hos. 7:8-12: Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned. Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it; yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it. And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this. Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense – they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will chastise them according to what their congregation has heard.
In their great distress, the people do not turn to the LORD (v.7,10), but seek help from other pagan nations like Egypt and Assyria. They are like a cake that has not been turned in the oven: burnt on one side, uncooked on the other. That’s how God sees their religiosity: unacceptable to Him and unattractive even to the pagans. Similarly, in our days, with worldly Christianity: not pleasing to God but also not good enough for the world.
Israel experienced firsthand that the LORD punishes them for their unfaithfulness, pride, and sins. So why don’t they repent? Don’t they understand that His punishment is meant to draw them back to Him and that there is only redemption and deliverance to be found in Him?
Hosea cries out – it is as serious as it is incomprehensible: even though their misery testified against them due to their rebellion, they did not turn to the LORD their God. Even when the nations they sought help from only exploited them, they still did not seek God.
They were without understanding in their dealings with the pagan nations: like a naive dove easily caught. They don’t realize that exploitation and danger come from their side. But let them not further provoke the LORD. He will not be mocked.
Without repentance, the horror of exile, as the punishment promised by God, is inevitable.
What is attractive about the mentioned mixture of religion?
Singing: Ps. 10:2,7