The Ephraim of Our Time

“Now as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now . . . .’” Acts 24:25.

Couldn’t Paul have spoken to Felix about grace, love, and liberty instead? Why then did he speak about the very opposite: righteousness, self-control, and judgment?

Those who are the Ephraim of our time have much in common with Felix. They say in their heart: “Go away. Don’t speak about righteousness, self-control, and judgment. That is bondage. We love the liberty that grace gives us. The truth makes us slaves; judgment terrifies us, and self-control seems painful. Go away for now. We would rather send for someone who can promise us liberty. We don’t care if he himself is a slave of corruption, as long as he can preach to us peace, peace; liberty, grace, and love.”

Ephraim of old was like a wild donkey alone by itself, who had “hired lovers.” Hos. 8:9. Ephraim roamed about lawlessly seeking love, a love which he should not have awakened before it pleased. He sought relationships where the Lord wanted separation. He sought to possess in this life everything that appealed to his flesh, and he carefully avoided the cross and tribulations. It would have been bondage for Ephraim to subject himself to the laws of the Spirit, to get a bit in his mouth and reins across his back. No, it was better to roam freely about and dream of his lovers. After all, the people had entered into the Promised Land and crossed over the Jordan, the river of death. Surely they could now eat of the fruit of the land and rejoice on the heights of Gilgal.

But hear, Ephraim, what the Lord says: “All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more. All their princes are rebellious.” Hos. 9:15.

You would hardly expect a herd of wild donkeys to need princes to lead them, and yet they also have them. However, the Lord gives them their rightful name: He calls them “rebellious.” They boast in their liberty and promise liberty to others. This is why they openly hire lovers for themselves and carefully seek to keep themselves and the flock they are leading far away from the word of righteousness, self-control, and judgment. Through practice they have become quite skillful at dipping their large whitewash brushes into what they call love, grace, and liberty and then painting over truth, righteousness, self-control, and judgment. And the more they paint over them, the more they rejoice, and the more the wild donkeys rejoice together over the tremendous skill of their leaders.

We have heard a lot about the latter rain. Perhaps a heavy downpour will soon come that can wash away this whitewash that deceives the people. How good the salty taste would be if the ancient truths were once again established and would get power to break through the whitewash. The time has now come for judgment to begin at the house of God—with us. 1 Pet. 4:17.

“O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love [Norw.] is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away.” Hos. 6:4.

This is very fleeting love. Perhaps that is why they speak so much about it. Unfortunately, it has gone away and will never return. The Sun of Righteousness banished the clouds and the dew, and Ephraim’s love vanished. If Ephraim had had a love of the truth in the depths of his heart, he would have rejoiced in the light from the Sun of Righteousness. But instead, everything evaporates, and Ephraim rages over the forces at work that caused his lovers to vanish.

In spite of all this, they say: “Now let no man contend, or rebuke another,” because “they are all hot, like an oven, and have devoured their judges.” Hos. 4:4; Hos. 7:7.

“Ephraim also is like a silly dove . . . .” Hos. 7:11. His leaders have kept him in ignorance so that he will be more easily led. “Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it.” Hos. 7:9. “Strangers [Norw.] have devoured his strength, but he does not know it.” He believes that he will win over these strangers, and he does not realize that it is the strangers who will win him over.

So Ephraim is left only with his testimony about having a tremendous power, which was long ago devoured. He is devoid of the knowledge of God and is ready to fight against the truth and the light—the very things that should have given him strength and courage.

“As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird—no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception! Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them to the last man. Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!” Hos. 9:11-12.

Stand up and fight, Ephraim. Arm yourself for holy war. If only you were right so that we could agree with you, because we can do nothing against the truth. But if you continue backsliding and if your honor prevents you from repenting, then the sword will slash in your cities, devour your districts, and consume you because of your own counsels. Hos. 11:6.

For years the leaders of Ephraim have entertained their people with frivolous jokes and promises of liberty that have made them rejoice. But all that rejoicing will come to an end when the Sun of Righteousness shines on the liberty of the wild donkeys. The morning clouds will vanish, and the dew will disappear. Ephraim’s lovers will be no more.

And what will become of Ephraim’s leaders? “They are dismayed and answer no more; words escape them.” Job 32:15.

“If you have anything to say [Ephraim], answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.” Job 33:32.

But if you cannot answer, then put your hand over your mouth and acknowledge in your heart that you have spoken about things you have not understood, things that were too wonderful for you, things that you did not comprehend.