Hear the judgment against Israel - its priests, its people and leaders. They are corrupt and their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart. They do not acknowledge YHVH. Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning. Judah and Israel will suffer the judgment of the Almighty until they have borne their guilt and seek YHVH's face; in their misery they will earnestly seek Him.
Though they are not faithful to God they trust God to be faithful to them. In their misery they make a great show of returning to God - but it is only temporary. After the crisis they will turn away from God once again. God is not interested in their guilt offerings - He is interested in their acknowledgment of Him. From the time of Adam men have broken their covenants with Him and Judah and Israel are no different.
They would rather live a lifestyle that defiles them than one that makes them holy. Rather than being a nation under God they want the approval of the nations around them. So they mix with them. Foreigners sap their strength but they don't realize it. Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and defenceless. Israel's arrogance testifies against him but despite this he does not return to YHVH his God, or search for Him.
Because Israel rejected what is good an enemy will pursue him. Israel has prostituted himself to the surrounding nations and this has weakened him. YHVH gave them His law that would protect and prosper them but they regarded the law as something foreign. Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to God and they eat the meat, YHVH is not pleased with them. Now He will remember their wickedness and punish their sins; they will return to Egypt.
Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment are coming. The days of reckoning are at hand. Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac.
Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird--no birth, no pregnancy, no conception. Ephraim, like Tyre was planted in a pleasant place. But Ephraim will bring out their children to the slayer. Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit. Even if they bear children, God will slay their cherished offspring. God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; they will be wanderers among the nations.
Because they planted wickedness they have reaped evil. They have eaten the fruit of deception. Because they have depended on their own strength and on their many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against their people, so that all their fortresses will be devastated.
Do I desire to life a life that makes me holy or a life that defiles me? What makes a person holy and what defiles them? The Scriptures tell us. Are we willing to search His Words to find out? Do we believe the Words of God? If we believe them - do we live our lives according to His words. Romans 12:1 says, "...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship." 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, "...as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct since it is written, 'You shall be holy for I am holy."
Dear Father,
Please help us to know how to live a holy life. Help us to turn away from the things that defile us. Please help us to overcome the destructive habits that may be a part of our lives. Heal our hearts and minds. Wash us with your word. Cleanse us. And set us apart so that we may truly be your holy people. What greater purpose in life than to pursue your righteousness! What greater honor than to be called your people!
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