They regarded my law as something foreign

They regarded my law as something foreign

Scripture: “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign. Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt. Hosea 8:11-13

Observation: In this passage, we see three main areas where Ephraim has failed before the Lord.

Firstly, it is written that Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, but the altars have become altars for sinning. In the New Testament context, altars are akin to churches, sanctuaries, places where people worship God. How do we sin at church? Some may come to church with an unrepentant heart. There may be some areas in our lives which we know is sinful but just can’t give up. Yet we come to church and perform the functions without any true change in our lives. It is telling that the term “hypocrite” is very commonly used to define Christians. Church is not a social club or convenient meeting place. It is a most holy place, and we need to come to the Lord with reverence, always with a desire for the Lord to be more and more real in our lives.

Secondly, it is written that Ephraim considered God’s law as something foreign. What is our attitude towards God’s Word? Do our actions show that we treat it as something foreign? The Bible should be something very familiar to us. We need to learn to delight in it like David did. Psalm 119:97 says “O how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long”. Psalm 112:1 says “Praise the Lord. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands”. If we do not love the Bible, it is as if we do not truly love God, for that is the primary way with which He speaks to us.

Thirdly, it is written that Ephraim’s sacrifices did not please the Lord. Eating the meat of the sacrifice symbolizes having fellowship with the Lord. Why was the Lord not pleased? Because Ephraim’s heart was still bent on sin. In Hosea 6:6, the Lord says “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” We show mercy by being kind to others, by helping the poor, which is what God delights in. We acknowledge God by keeping ourselves away from sin. James puts it quite clearly in James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Mercy and acknowledging God by aiming for holiness.

Application: Let us go to church with a reverent and repentant heart, seeking to meet with God, and let Him change us to be more and more like Jesus. Pray for God to give us a fresh love for His Word. Ask Him to open the Word to us that we might learn many things. Pray for a heart of compassion to help others, and acknowledge God by keeping away from sin.

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I have gone to Your house with an irreverent attitude, and even treated my sins nonchalantly as I entered Your presence. Change me O Lord, as I continue to seek You. Let me grow in greater love for You. Let me learn to love Your precious Word O Lord, let my eyes be open to see the many beautiful things You say to me. Give me a heart of compassion for others that I might help the needy, and lead me away from sin I pray. In Jesus name, Amen.