Memorise:
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Hosea 4:17
Read: Deuteronomy 4:15-20
15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:
16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
20 But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Message
In Genesis 48:13-20, Ephraim experienced a positive switch at the expense of his brother, Manasseh. He was last but become first. He was supposed to get the lesser blessing, but he got the greater portion. From today, you shall experience a positive switch in Jesus‘Name. Situations surrounding you shall suddenly change from bad to fair, fair to good, good to better and better to best. You are in for a great surprise this season.
However, looking at the situation of Ephraim down the line, we see that it is one thing to experience a positive switch, and it is another thing to sustain it. After inheriting his elder brother’s blessing, and having prospered above him in multiple folds, Ephraim could not manage his blessing. After he experienced unprecedented success, Ephraim neglected God and created idols for himself. Hosea 4:17 says;
“Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.”
This Scripture says he was joined to his idols. In other words, one way to frustrate God’s grace upon your life is to join yourself to idols. To “join” is another way to saying “to be married to” something you love so much. What is the idol taking the love, attention, devotion and time meant for God in your life?
The idols could mean real, tangible symbols or items to which you devote your worship, trust and love. Not too long ago, some people were said to have discovered some magical river with healing or miraculous powers, and so many people went there. If you are a true believer in Christ, you can never be found in such a place. An apparition appears on a particular building and people start visiting the place for prayers; they must have thrown away the scripture found in John 4:21. These are all idolatrous practices. Also, the use of talismanic rings and amulets, rosaries, scapulars, coloured candles and religious objects of protection or good luck are all part of idolatry. If you are joined to idols, you cannot remain joined to Jesus Christ; He will simply step out before you merge with idols. What is that idol making you to rubbish God’s goodness in your life? For some, it is their spouse. If you love your spouse above God, you are provoking God’s jealousy. Eventually, Ephraim become desolate (Hosea 5:9). That is what happens to idolaters. At some point, your idols will desert you. Be wise today!
Action Point
Thank God for the success of our past Holy Ghost Congress meetings, pray that this year’s Congress will witness unprecedented manifestations of God’s presence.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 21:31-23:12, 2 CORINTHIANS 11:16-33
Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
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