A cake not turned (Hosea 7-10; Matt 18)

It’s a strange expression – “Ephraim is a cake not turned.” (Hosea 7:8) What does God mean?! Ephraim was one of Joseph’s sons, and sometimes God uses “Ephraim” to speak of the Northern kingdom of Israel. But what about the cake not turned? This is a cake cooked on top of the stove. If it’s not turned, it will burn on one side and be undercooked on the other.

God is saying that His people Ephraim are like this, they are overcooked towards the world and undercooked towards Him. They have loved the world, loved going the world’s way, but ignored what God says. They have mixed with the nations to such an extent that they are just like them.

God always called Israel to be a light to the nations. The nations were meant to look at Israel and say, “what a God they must have”. They were meant to be drawn to God through the witness of Israel. But what’s happened? Israel has become just like the world, no different.

It’s similar in the church, God calls Christians to be distinct from the world, to be salt and light. But so often we just blend in. Sometimes people in the church think that we need to be just like the world so that we don’t put anyone off! The apostle Paul certainly speaks of becoming all things to win all people, but he never means that we should do approve of things that God says are wrong. Paul means that we shouldn’t let anything cultural get in the way of people hearing about Jesus.

Sadly the church often becomes like the world to avoid saying the hard things, to avoid appearing judgmental, or putting anyone off. But God says, you need to be godly. The world should look at the church and see something different and something attractive. And what a witness we can be. In a divided and hate filled world, to be a community of people from different backgrounds who love and care for one another. In a confused world where people don’t know who they are, to be a people who know we are made in the image of God and for His glory.

Are there areas where you or your church are just like the world? Do people at school or work know that you belong to Jesus, or have you become so overcooked towards the world that there is no difference?

Lord Jesus, you know what it’s like to live in this sin filled world, yet you perfectly lived a distinctive life and always pointed people to our heavenly Father. Thank-you for dying for us for all the times we have failed, please help us to live for you. Please make us white hot worshippers, who live in this world, among different people and show them how good you are. Amen