14:7
Israel was increasingly becoming an object of scorn, and this would only increase in the years to come, but this process would be reversed. Instead, people would “dwell in her shade”, they would have a high regard for Israel and would flourish because of her. Israel would be sought after. We have seen this to some extent with the church. Societies with a strong Christian influence have respected the church and greatly benefited from its influence. Of course, this was highly imperfect, but it was true nevertheless. Now the West is quickly seeking to divest itself of all Christian influence. Israel is scorned by most nations, but one day this will change. She will return to God, and then she will be exalted among the nations.
14:8
Ephraim was currently heavily into idol worship, but God has nothing to do with idols. God alone is the one who answers our prayers, He alone is the source of our fruitfulness. And we need to remember that many of the “gods” were fertility gods, both in terms of harvest fruitfulness, and in fruitfulness in terms of having children. We should look nowhere else for fruitfulness.
14:9
Israel was facing a critical situation, one in which she would make the wrong choices. We need to learn from her mistakes and be sure to make wise choices. The wise man is the one who looks to the Lord alone. This is true wisdom. In our age today much of the church seems to think it is a good idea to turn to the world for wisdom, nothing could be more foolish. Such churches will stumble in God’s ways because they reject them, for the ways of the Lord are right.
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