On the day of our king the officials became sick with the heat of the wine; he stretched out his hand with mockers. For the are kindled like an oven, their heart burns within them; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings have fallen; none of them calls upon me.

Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Foreigners devour his strength, but he does not know it; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, but he does not know it. Israel’s pride testifies against him; yet they do not return to the LORD their God, or seek him, for all this.

Hosea 7:5-10

The prophet Hosea used the tribe of Ephraim as a poetic representation of the northern kingdom of Israel.

The tribe had become tasteless and useless to God, so He was forced to judge them. Jesus echoed the words of the prophet. Although He had gentle words for penitent sinners, He gave a scathing rebuke to the haughty and self-righteous who wanted to live as they pleased. He was furious with two-faced religious leaders who talked a good talk but turned around and exploited their followers.

God is never soft on sin. He sent His only Son to redeem us from sin’s penalty. Don’t be half-baked Christians, claiming God’s forgiveness but still living as we please. The only fitting response to God’s mercy and grace is to serve Him in humility and love.

God’s grace is not a license to live as we please –

it’s liberty to please God.

Our Daily Bread – August 26, 2004