A Sin and its Punishment
B. Beddome, M. A. Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. This passage exhibits against this people a charge and a threatening. I. A CHARGE. "He is joined to idols." 1. All true believers are said to be "joined to the Lord." Faith not only forms an union, but, as it were, an identity with the Saviour, so that they are no longer twain, but one, one mystical person, one spirit. 2. The prodigal son is said to have "joined himself to a citizen in a far country." He fastened himself to him. 3. Of Israel it is said, he has "joined himself unto Baal-peor," an impure idol of the Ammonites. Christianity has abolished idolatry from the nations of Europe: yet the world is still full of mental idolatry, not less sinful or less dangerous, though not equally degrading in the eye of reason. To trust in an arm of flesh, to love the creature more than the Creator, is to be joined to idols. The sin of idolatry appears in such variety of forms that perhaps no one in the present life is entirely free from it. It exists in every inordinate affection, in every undue attachment to created good. II. A THREATENING. This may be the language of caution — Do not enter into any friendship with such an idolatrous people. It may, however, be regarded as a warning and threatening against Ephraim. The sinner is delivered up to final impenitence, never more to be visited with compunction or regret. God suffers the sinner unchecked to pursue his own way, and take the consequences. The instances in which this awful threatening may be inflicted are the following — 1. When the usual means of instruction and reproof are no longer employed or afforded. 2. When conscience becomes seared, and the Spirit of God ceases to strive with the sinner, then also may he be said to be given up. 3. This fearful state may be apprehended when afflictions are withheld, and providence no longer frowns upon the sinner s way, but suffers him to take his course unreproved. When a physician ceases to administer his bitter potions, or a surgeon to search the wound, it is a sign that they look upon the case as desperate. (1) If God let us alone, we shall be sure to let Him alone, and become prayerless, unfeeling, and incorrigible. We then cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God. (2) Though God should let us alone, Satan will not. (3) If God let us alone it is the prelude of our destruction. We are left in our sins, surrounded with enemies and dangers. (4) Should God let us alone now, He will not do so hereafter. Learn — 1. The wretched state into which sin may have brought us. 2. The necessity of constant watchfulness and prayer, that none of these evils come upon us. It is better to endure the deepest distress than to enjoy a false and delusive peace. Let us dread nothing so much as a state of insensibility; a being " past feeling" is the certain sign of perdition. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. WEB: Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!