44
They are all adulterers. According to this accusation the whole nation had turned to idol worship. The people were totally committed to other gods, while forsaking and forgetting the true and living God. At the instigation, and in company with the leaders of Israel, the king was supplied a great abundance of wine. He was intoxicated to the point of being overcome, made sick by the excessive amount of wine he had consumed. Of one thing we may be certain, none of them were in a condition to properly guide the people and make decisions. Hos. 7:5 Wine is deceptive and is called a mocker, its subsequent reaction is to have in derision those who imbibe. Solomon issued a warning concerning its use. Prov. 20:1 In joining with those who scorned the Lord, the king further violated the Law which would most certainly cause a response from the Lord.
Their debauchery was likened to that of a baker heating his oven, which burned all night long until in the morning it had reached its apex and had become a flaming fire. This lust had become excessive and burned strongly in their hearts. They had rid themselves of the Godly leadership of judges and kings. None among them were prone to seek the Lord. Hos. 7:6-7.
They were a half baked lot. Cooked only on one side. Hos. 7:6 They were still called after the name of the Lord but were far from a true life lived in serving Him. Ephraim had mixed himself among the heathen peoples amongst whom they dwelt. In leading the children of Israel into the promised land, the Lord warned them about mixing with the inhabitants who were already there. For they would become a snare unto them and cause them to stumble. Ex. 23:31-33 By the time they left Egypt they had become a ‚mixed multitude‚Äô or a mongrel race of people. They had intermarried with the Egyptians. It was this segment of their society which caused them problems in the wilderness. They were the ones who complained and lusted after the good things of Egypt. Num. 11:4 In the days of restoration, after having been delivered from Babylon, they discovered that this violated the Law. Therefore they determined that there should be a separation from the mixed multitude. Neh. 13:3.
New Testament Christians at one time were taught to separate themselves from the unbeliever, the worldly. The Lord has not changed His calling. We are still warned about being yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Cor. 6:15 The call to be a holy, set apart people is greater than ever. We are living in the end of the age and the Lord is looking for a people who serve Him with their whole heart. The call is to come out, touch not the unclean in order for the blessing of the Lord to be bestowed upon us.2 Cor. 6:17.