The Repeat Of Ephraim

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

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

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.

Beware of vanity; it is the brother of pride!

*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)

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

Every time you find them in a real dilemma, 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)

11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. (KJV)

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)

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)

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)

A Return to the Lord---recognize and admit the error of your ways

-don't be so shallow

*the 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)

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)

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)