Hosea 7:11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.… The race of Ephraim is not extinct. Men are to this day very much like what they were in the days of the prophets. I. A SAINTLY SIMILITUDE. "Ephraim is like a dove." The dove is the figure constantly chosen to set forth the beauty of holiness, the believer, the Church, and the Holy Spirit. In all congregations there are those who are like doves, but not Christ's doves. You cannot tell them from genuine believers. They are quite harmless. They do no mischief to others in their lives. They are amiable, admirable. They are like doves for loving good company. They have the same meekness, apparently, as distinguishes the dove. They are not sceptics: they frequent the house of God, behave in a seemly manner, and with meekness receive the Word. The dove is a cleanly feeder, and we have many who get as far as that. They have come to know the doctrines of the Gospel. But, while they have an orthodox head, they have a heterodox heart. As a dove is molested by all sorts of birds of prey, so these persons do, for a time, share the lot which befalls the people of God. II. A SECRET DISTINCTION. "A dove without heart." "This implies a lack of understanding. The dove knows but little, and is easily snared. It does not seem to possess the wits and senses of stone others of the feathered tribe. So there are many who have no real knowledge of the truth. They rest in the letter, and think that is enough. They also lack a decided heart, and a bold heart, and a powerless heart. III. A SEVERE DESCRIPTION. "A silly dew;" There may be some sort of dignity in being a fool, but to be silly — to attract no attention except ridicule — is so utterly bad, that I do not know how a more sarcastic name could be applied. IV. A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. It is no rare thing to find the attendant of the sanctuary an unbeliever. Be not deceived; the Gospel will harden such people as now are. Some of the grossest men were once credulous and apparently meek-hearted hearers of the Word, but they sat under the preaching of the Gospel till they grew ripe enough to deny God and curse Him. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. |
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