Hos 5:3 | KingComments | STEP | What God says here about Ephraim is reminiscent of what David says, that the LORD knows him through and through ( ). But there is a big difference between Ephraim and David. In Psalm 139 David testifies of God’s omniscience. He is aware that God knows him thoroughly. It makes him small and at the same time full of confidence. With Ephraim or Israel, it is different. They are not aware that God knows them and sees all their deeds (cf. ). God knows them, but they do not know Him ( ). God says that He knows the harlotry of Ephraim and the defilement of Israel. He mentions their deeds. That God knows His people through and through, He proves by presenting them their sins. Nothing is hidden from Him. There is no doubt about their sins. They are defiled and therefore God cannot tolerate them in His presence. It is grace that God points out their sins to His people. He wants them to see their sins as He sees them, so that they can confess them and He can forgive them. To this end, a whole people or a single human being will only come if there is an upright prayer, as David prays: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” ( ).

‏ Hosea 5:3

Known by God

What God says here about Ephraim is reminiscent of what David says, that the LORD knows him through and through (Psa 139:1-4). But there is a big difference between Ephraim and David. In Psalm 139 David testifies of God’s omniscience. He is aware that God knows him thoroughly. It makes him small and at the same time full of confidence. With Ephraim or Israel, it is different. They are not aware that God knows them and sees all their deeds (cf. Hos 7:2). God knows them, but they do not know Him (Hos 5:4).

God says that He knows the harlotry of Ephraim and the defilement of Israel. He mentions their deeds. That God knows His people through and through, He proves by presenting them their sins. Nothing is hidden from Him. There is no doubt about their sins. They are defiled and therefore God cannot tolerate them in His presence.

It is grace that God points out their sins to His people. He wants them to see their sins as He sees them, so that they can confess them and He can forgive them. To this end, a whole people or a single human being will only come if there is an upright prayer, as David prays:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psa 139:23-24).