Hosea 7:1-16

IX. Hosea 7:8-9 (NASB) EPHRAIM MIXES HIMSELF WITH THE NATIONS; EPHRAIM HAS BECOME A CAKE NOT TURNED.

9 STRANGERS DEVOUR HIS STRENGTH, YET HE DOES NOT KNOW [IT]; GRAY HAIRS ALSO ARE SPRINKLED ON HIM, YET HE DOES NOT KNOW [IT.]

A. The "cake not turned" was burnt on one side and raw on the other. A metaphor for just how mixed up their lives were.

1. And the "gray hairs" is a reference to their lifestyles. They were getting old before their time. SIN DOES THAT!

X. Hosea 7:14 (NASB) AND THEY DO NOT CRY TO ME FROM THEIR HEART WHEN THEY WAIL ON THEIR BEDS; FOR THE SAKE OF GRAIN AND NEW WINE THEY ASSEMBLE THEMSELVES, THEY TURN AWAY FROM ME.

A. Please notice that they are miserable and cry themselves to sleep, but they will not turn to the Lord!

1. Why? Prosperity. They like the materialism that comes with their rebellion.