Is Ephraim At It Again?

Ephraim

Genesis 41:50-52

50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. {Ephraim: that is, Fruitful}

His name means double fruit or fruit in the land of my affliction.

Ge 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

From this time forward, Ephraim and Manasseh have their portion with the tribes of Israel. Ephraim is a privileged tribe. They were given the most ideal location. It appears that they were wealthier than the other tribes. They had a very rich lineage; Joshua, Gideon, and Samuel all came from this tribe.

Ephraim is synonymous with the children of Israel. It is also a picture of the church that is making concessions and in danger of becoming worldly. Sometimes we confuse the terms "compromise" and "concessions". A compromise requires two parties modifying their differences. A concession is when one party gives up ground. God is not going to change his stance to meet you halfway.

From the outside looking in, Ephraim looked exquisite. At the holiday parades and at target practice, they were fabulous,

Beware of vanity, it is the brother of pride.

Psalm 78:9

The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

**A strong past does not always guarentee a secure future.

** It is dangerous trying to live on the commitments, blessings, and memories of yesterday.

IL.; Alexander the Great

The Indictments

1. He is like the Dew

Hosea 6:4

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

goodness = faithfulness

Why do we have a problem remaining constant in our faithfulness?

2. He is like a Dove

Hosea 7:11

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

The dove is one of the easiest birds to capture in a trap or net. They are simple and suseceptible.

3. He is like a Donkey

Hosea 8:9

For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

A wild donkey has no master or has forgotten who his master is. That was the condition of Ephraim and it is the condition of many today.

When one forgets his master, he gets out of control and life is out of balance.

Hosea 7:8

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

--like a pancake burnt on one side and doughy on the other.

Nevertheless, the Lord looks on and sees his DARLING.

Just like the story goes in Hosea 3, when he tells Hosea to purchase Gomer from the auction block of the slaves.