Children of God May Learn from
The Backsliding Heifer A T first •glance this may seem a strange subject, but in reality it is a most practical and heart searching theme. The text from which the words are taken is Hosea 4:16: “ For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heif er.” While of course it referred to Israel primarily, the spiritual principle involv ed is applicable to God’s people of every age. The figure is that of a heifer’s being led to the altar of sacrifice. At the smell of blood, she instinctively draws back from the place of death. Although tied fast to the horns of the altar, she at tempts to free herself. Israel, said the *Pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Pasadena, California; Biola ’17.
By Edward B. Hart, D. D.*
prophet Hosea, was like that. She too pulled away from the altar experience. The background of this verse is ex plained in the context. The prophet first described the sad condition in Israel in the words, “ There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land,” and then gave the reason for it: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” Israel did not lack opportunity to know God, but only the willingness to do His will. That is our plight in Ameri ca today. It is not want of knowledge, for the Bible is available everywhere in the land; we have turned back from the Word of God. We like an “ easy” religion—one that
is not hard on sin; that does not prick our consciences; that does not disturb our cherished manner of living. When we come face to face with the knowledge of our sin, as God sees it; when we are confronted with God’s call to consecrat ed living, we turn back from the Book which exposes us. To turn away from God’s Word means exactly the same for us as it did for Israel, “ Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” There comes a time in the life of nations, churches, and individuals when God lets them go their own way. That is what is meant by such expressions as, “ God gave them up” ; “My Spirit shall not al ways strive with man” ; “ No man can come unto me except the Father . . . draw him.” Christians in large numbers
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