Do you want a recipe on how to be great with God? Here it is. If you are less sure of yourself and more dependent upon the mercy of God, you are a prime candidate for being exalted. Although we are not given a specific time in Bible history that this occurred in Ephraim’s history, the fact of it was not lost on God. He greatly treasure humility of heart and mind and meekness of spirit.
On the other hand, how does one reverse this process? By turning away from God, the true and living God, for ANY idol. Ephraim offended God by giving attention to Baal which was due to God alone. The finality of those words, “but when he offended in Baal, he died” is awesome. The death Ephraim suffered was the worst kind: the death of losing one’s relationship with God even while still breathing. Can you think of anything worse than having known God once and then having lost your fellowship with Him?
May God teach us all to be humble before Him. He searches our hearts and minds.
