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"Your faithfulness is like a morning cloud"

Text: Hosea 6:4

THE UNFAITHFULNESS OF ISRAEL

The faithfulness of Israel and Judah was pitifully small. No matter what God had done for them there was little gratitude and even lesser faithfulness!

“O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?
O Judah, what shall I do to you?
For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,
And like the early dew it goes away.”
Hosea 6:4

1. Ephraim

a) This is a reference to the nation of Israel.

b) “O Ephraim”

This is an exclamation that expresses:

i) Sadness

ii) Shock

c) “What shall I do to you?”

i) This is a rhetorical statement.

ii) No answer is required.

2. Judah

a) This is a reference to the Southern Kingdom.

b) “O Judah”

This exclamation expresses similar sentiments noted above!

3. “Your faithfulness”

a) The word “faithfulness” was spoken “tongue in cheek”.

b) It was ironical that both Israel and Judah believed they were “faithful”.

c) They continued to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

d) Their “faithfulness” was at best superficial.

4. The faithfulness of Ephraim and Judah was compared to:

a) “A morning cloud”

i) The cloud moves with the wind.

ii) It is not steady at all.

b) “The early dew”

i) It evaporates very swiftly.

ii) Even before the sun comes up, the dew is no more!