Saturday, September 24, 2011

Idolatry is Pride

Hosea 13:1 KJV
When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

Here is a classic example of the spiritual truth that when we are humble God exalts us but when we are lifted up in pride we must be cast down.

Early on Ephraim participated in God's plan for the people of God.
• They would have cried unto the Lord in Egypt
• They would have followed the Lord through the Red Sea
• They would have crossed the Jordan and conquered the Promised Land with the rest of the people of God.
So long as Ephraim spake trembling; so long as she, along with the rest of the tribes, sought the Lord, God's hand blessed and kept them.

But then Ephraim joined in with the rebellion of Jeroboam. She agreed with the worship of idols and eventually entered into the worship of Baal. Why not? They had already accepted a false god, what's another. When once we accept a sin as agreeable, other sins will quickly follow.

And here lies another truth; "offending in Baal" is equal to lifting up self in pride. It is choosing our own course rather than obedience to the Lord.

Ephraim is said to have died when they offended in Baal. The destruction of the northern kingdom, of which Ephraim was a part, did not happen immediately. But their spiritual death did. And so it is with many who, though walking upon this earth, they are dead in spirit. There is no relationship with God. They do not hear from Him, nor do they care to. Life comes from God but they have been separated from that life.

Verse nine begins a portion of pleading with them to turn and repent. So long as those spiritually dead walk on this earth the invitation is open to them: repent turn God will always and forever accept you if you will but humble yourself.

No comments:

Post a Comment