But he does not notice

“Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.” (Hosea 7:9)

 

The term a foreigner written in the Old Testament has a symmetrical meaning to the word Israelite. Israel the proper noun in the Old Testament shows symbolically the Christ’s Church in the period of New Testament, in advance. Thus Hosea’s prophecy for Israel is also a lesson toward the modern church. Ephraim the tribe received the most shares of blessing among the tribes of Israelite. If anyone take a lot of inheritance, a suitable responsibility and obligation will be given to him. Therefore, if one is not faithful to one’s given roles, the person will have no choice but to be punished accordingly. By the way, the Bible says Ephraim has been mixed with the foreigners. So Ephraim, who had lost one’s own identity and hadn’t even realized that, had to be told that it’s like ‘a flat loaf not turned over’.

 

The words ‘foreigner’ ‘stranger’ or ‘a Gentile’ expressed by Christians might not sound pleasant, to the general public unbelieving in Jesus. Because such the terms that Christians use in common life may make feel an exclusive meaning. It is desirable of course for Christians themselves to establish their inner consciousness of self-respect firmly. However, we need to think carefully and use suitably the selected language because language is an expression that is delivered directly to the other person. As an instance, why don’t we speak changed one of the words sometimes used in Christian life, Stranger the Gentile, to non-Christian? Though those who are not yet in Christ, wouldn’t they be able to become brothers in faith by Jesus’ grace some day? We have to perceive clearly a fact it’s not the people of Israel are chosen by the Lord because they are a particularly superior than other people.

We can know a fact everyone is essentially the same, through seeing various aspects of man. Even so, there exist many the small differences countlessly between people. It is definite that each person has various differences such as skin color, height, personality, etc. However, the basic structure of the body and the properties of the soul are common. Just because God distinguished Israel as special people, it is not that they are superior to other peoples. Rather their numbers were small, stubborn, and as active in doing injustice like as other ethnics. And yet they were chosen by the Lord. Likewise with that, it’s not that even a saved person of faith in Jesus has a good health and fine character from the first. And yet it’s very foolish to have an arrogant attitude, as if oneself is superior being of one’s own accord.

Joseph was mostly loved by the father Jacob among the sons. And he had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim is a younger brother, but he received more blessings than his elder brother. In that sense, Ephraim is the most blessed man of all people in the world. If then, his descendants should have lived properly to please God, but if you look at the contents of the Book Hosea, the main name that was most reprimanded is Ephraim. What does it mean by ‘a flat loaf not turned over’ in the text? If the flat loaf on the pan have not been turned over, one side was burnt deservedly, and the other side would not be baked at all. If then, means it wasn't made a eatable pancake after all. So, it means became neither can to eat, nor to throw away regrettably. Ephraim the tribe had been blessed most, but it was just a fame after all, and it is just a pathetic and useless thing because it was false for them in both grace and faith.

Furthermore the bigger problem is that they don’t recognize the situation themselves have correctly. If a sick person can’t feel pain, there is no hope of health to the person. On the other hand, to a person who feels uncomfortable even if he or she gets a hand pricked by a very small thorn, there is rather hope of health. He who is looking at Christ in spirit knows how to look at his own soul. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, lies, misdeeds, etc are the images of injustice by evil spirits. What the wrong people have in common is that it's too difficult to get out of the trap of paralysis for oneself. They lose the power to resist injustice gradually. And the deeds of injustice appear from anybody regardless of the young or the old of age. It’s common to see the terrible crimes committed by children in their early teens these days. But so, isn’t that the case with the elderly? People would have to be mature as one gets older, but the aged also try to commit sin anytime if they have strength and opportunity.

 

Man’s arrogance makes oneself look away from the Lord. Then what hope is there for man?

The reality of mankind is that even if they cry for hope and develop science, they cannot achieve complete peace and satisfaction. In that case, only one hope is, man must return to the Lord God. That is, one has to pray for redemption of grace in the name of Jesus Christ. Now discard the folly of finding a way toward Egypt or Assyria, and must try hard to find the Lord of the Universe in Jesus and bring my life to be alive.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Oct 9th 2022)