Ephraim Known and Israel Not Hid - Hosea 5:3

In the book of Hosea, Hosea said, “Hear you this, O priests; and hearken, you house of Israel; and give you ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because you have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all”, and in chapter five and verse three of Hosea, Hosea said, “I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me” where we read,

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me:

for now, O Ephraim, you commit whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

The verse begins, “I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me:” Hosea began with the words, “I know Ephraim” or “I, Hosea and Jehovah God, perceive, discern, discriminate, distinguish and recognize Ephraim whose name means double ash-heap and I shall be doubly fruitful and is sometimes the name used for northern Israel”, “and Israel” which means “and Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “is not hid from me” or “in no way or manner exists as concealed, cut off, separate and apart from me, Hosea and Jehovah God”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God were aware of the behaviors of the people of “Ephraim and Israel”. 

The verse continues, “for now, O Ephraim, you commit whoredom, and Israel is defiled.” Hosea added the words, “for now, O Ephraim” or “because, certainly and surely O Ephraim whose name means double ash-heap and I shall be doubly fruitful and is sometimes the name used for northern Israel”, “you commit whoredom” which means “you, Ephraim, perpetuate fornication and spiritual adultery”, “and Israel is defiled” or “and Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob exists as spiritually unclean, impure and idolatrous”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God knew about the spiritual adultery performed by “Ephraim” and the resulting uncleanness and impurity that was experienced by “Israel”.

When we think through Hosea words in this verse, we realize he and Jehovah God knew what was happening in the northern tribes of Israel. They abandoned Him and His ways and worshiped and served idols instead. God's invitation is for everyone, regardless of their past and present situation, to come unto Him and receive His salvation and rest. (See Matthew 11:28) He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from worshiping idols that will only lead us to uncleanness and defilement that separate us from Him. 

Next time Hosea says, “they will not frame their doings to turn unto their God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".