The Repeat Generation of Ephraim
God is not looking for artifacts for a museum, He wants soldiers who will arise to the occasion.
Gen. 41:50-52
Ephraim = double fruit (he was second born; coming after Manasseh)
= fruit in the land of my affliction
Joseph gave the first and premier blessing to Ephraim over Manasseh who was the first-born.
Ps. 78:9
9 ¶ The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. (KJV)
9 Los hijos de Efraín, arqueros armados, volvieron la espalda el día de la batalla. (RVG04)
The missionary, David Livingstone, was an example of one who pursued his calling, regardless of how bleak the circumstance looked.
Ephraim was the tribe with the most ideal location; they were richer than other tribes; they had a rich lineage (Joshua, Gideon, and Samuel came from this tribe)
From the outside, all looked well for Ephraim.
This group was fabulous at holiday parades and target practice.
*A strong past does not always provide a secure future.
*There is grave danger in trying to live on yesterday's blessing, yesterday's commitments, and yesterday's memories.
But when the real battle begins, they melt like butter; they are just chocolate soldiers.
They were Quitters at heart. Like many today.
-a marriage gets shaky----just quit.
-the job has difficulties---just quit
-the pastor steps on your toes a time too many----just quit
-the opposition is too fiesty---just quit
To quit is not the solution---you must press in and press on toward victory
IL. Alexander the Great set forth to conquer the world. A few months along in his quest, he came upon a fortified city. He called from below with orders to see the king. He asked the king to surrender. The king laughed and asked why he thought that they should surrender to a group no bigger than this. Alexander told him that he would give a demonstration. He ordered his army to line up single file and start marching toward the edge of a cliff. They marched and 10 men stepped off to certain death before he ordered the rest to stop. The king and the city surrendered quickly upon seeing the unbending allegiance to their leader.
Ephraim was not that type.
Hosea 7:8,11
8 ¶ Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. (KJV)
8 Efraín se envolvió con los pueblos; Efraín fue torta no vuelta. (RVG04)
11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. (KJV)
11 Y Efraín es como paloma incauta, sin entendimiento; llama a Egipto, acude a Asiria. (RVG04)
Every time you find them in a real dilemna, they are turning back.
-they couldn't deny the flesh
-they didn't want to bear their cross
WHY?
Ps. 78:10,11
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; (KJV)
10 No guardaron el pacto de Dios, ni quisieron andar en su ley; (RVG04)
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. (KJV)
11 antes se olvidaron de sus obras, y de sus maravillas que les había mostrado. (RVG04)
1. They kept not the covenant of God--a promise or a vow is a serious thing.
2. They refused to walk in His Law--forget the excuses and reasoning; just simply obey.
3. They forgot His works and His wonders---Hold tight to those precious and powerful miracles; make a memorial.
I. A Sure Remedy
Hosea 6:1-3 1
¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. (KJV)
1 Venid y volvámonos a Jehová: que Él arrebató, y nos curará; hirió, y nos vendará. (RVG04)
2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (KJV)
2 Nos dará vida después de dos días; al tercer día nos resucitará y viviremos delante de Él. (RVG04)
3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (KJV)
3 Y conoceremos, y proseguiremos en conocer a Jehová; su salida está dispuesta como el alba, y vendrá a nosotros como la lluvia, como la lluvia tardía y temprana a la tierra. (RVG04)
A Return to the Lord---recognize and admit the error of your ways
-don't be so shallow
*he focus here is on wounds and healing when it should have been on waywardness and holiness.
Fall upon the Mercy of the Lord
-quit looking for shortcuts
-O how we want that quick fix
Understand that you have not arrived yet--we need to know Him more.
-one never stops growing in the Lord; it is progressive
-our attitude must be that we are still lacking so much.
II. Somber Reality
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: or, mercy, or, kindness} (KJV)
4 ¿Qué haré a ti, Efraín? ¿Qué haré a ti, oh Judá? La piedad vuestra es como la nube de la mañana, y como el rocío que de madrugada viene. (RVG04)
We started out so well, but something has disapated.
III. Sincere Revival
Hosea 6:5,6
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. {and...: or, that thy judgments might be, etc} (KJV)
5 Por esta causa corté con los profetas, con las palabras de mi boca los maté; y tus juicios serán como luz que sale. (RVG04)s
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)
6 Porque misericordia quise, y no sacrificio; y conocimiento de Dios más que holocaustos. (RVG04)
The term "mercy" in this verse signifies "loyalty".
God is looking for those who will stay faithful and true all along the way. Not just in the good times. Or not those who just follow whoever or whatever is treating them best at the moment.
God is not wanting you to make a big sacrifice and promise the moon every time you need Him.
Just be LOYAL every mile of the way.
