Secularism the Path to Ultimate Evil

Secularism the Path to Ultimate Evil

Secularism as depicted by ‘The National Secular Society’ maintains the following main points:-

1 ’This life is the only one of which we have any knowledge’
2 ‘Supernaturalism is based upon ignorance and is the historic enemy of progress’
3 ‘Progress is the basis of equal freedom of speech and publication’ and ‘insists that
free criticism of institutions and ideas is essential to a civilised state’
4 ‘Morality is social in origin and application’
5 ‘Demands complete separation of state and church’

Of course Secularism, in the broader sense of the word, has been very active within the church; here with the aid of modernism and liberalism it has sought to secularise the Word of God and to corrupt Christian doctrine; then aided by freedom of expression, human rights and equality legislation, it has made a mockery and a misery of the lives of the church going public. As an evangelical Protestant I want to plot the path that Secularism is spreading before society today.

1 Secularism denies the existence and destiny of the human soul; this removes human responsibility towards Almighty God, and the reality of heaven and hell, with one foul stroke. Such a retrograde step reduces man to the animal kingdom and brings him onto a certain collision course with God. This sort of path brings society to a beastly level of self worth.
2 For Secularism to ridicule supernaturalism thus, is to deny the reality of divine intervention; this reckless and unnecessary derisory comment serves only to destroy any possibility of hope for society in time of dire crisis. It strikes at the heart of Biblical truth and teaching; it attempts to destroy the person and work of Christ.
3 While there is nothing wrong with unbiased free speech; but when it comes to a Secularist interpretation of freedom of speech, then that is out of order. Bible believing Christians must have the right and freedom for the public expression of their faith; when freedom of speech legislation impinges on a Christians civil and religious liberty then that is entirely wrong. Such bias and prejudice against Christian expression leads society into bondage.
4 In a Christian country, the moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments; this will not do for Secularism of course. Secularism does not want to hear the word SIN!; to secularist minds it is offensive and out dated; so Secularism has decided to take man’s sin and rebellion against God and hide it in society. Society needs a moral code based upon a steady and sure foundation; only God can set a reasonable standard for man the creature. To say that morality has it’s origin and application in society is to deny the existence of SIN. By way of definition, ‘sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God’
5 Secularism wants to take the Word of God out of the state; such a step will lead a once Christian country into ultimate evil. It is the Word of God and the lives of God’s redeemed people that act as a barrier against evil and the forces of darkness; remove this and the nation will plunge into the abyss of Satanism.

In conclusion, I believe that Secularism is the greatest enemy that the Reformed Faith has ever encountered; it will ultimately destroy our nation and people. The path that Secularism presents, must be resisted and exposed for what it really is, a path to perdition.


Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab (7)

The House of Ahab (7)

1kings18:30

‘And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.’

The prophets of Baal, which depict the prophets of Secularism of our day, had utterly failed; they had been completely humiliated in the Show-down on Mount Carmel; now Elijah reveals the Strength of Israel.

Firstly, Elijah found the altar of God that had been broken down; ‘the House of Ahab’, with its Secularist policies, had destroyed the altar of God. They had achieved this by discrediting and marginalising the Word of God; the Obadiah movement, with their affiliation to the power sharing executive of Ahab and Jezebel, gave silent ascent to this outrage in Israel. With God’s Word removed from the state, then opportunity arose for false pagan altars to spring up; and before Israel as a nation knew what was happening, they had become multicultural and pluralist to the heart. There was national rebellion against God’s Word, and a craving for ‘equal rights’ and an ‘integrated society’ in Israel. ‘Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.’ 19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. 21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? 22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD. 23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. 25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. 26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets. (Jerm2:11 & :19-26)

Elijah led the people of Israel back to the foundation of God’s Word, that is where the repair work would start from; in repairing the altar of God, Elijah went back to the foundational truths and teaching of the Scriptures of truth. He would not build on any other foundation; ‘For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ (1Cor3:11); yes, Elijah had his eye by faith fixed upon another Mount, Mount Calvary; where Christ would offer Himself a sacrifice to put away sin and transgression. ‘But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down at the right hand of God;’ (Heb10:12) It is interesting to notice the absence of Obadiah in this great reformation work; he would have been concerned more on issues of political correctness as he polished the unrighteous boots of Ahab and flirted with Jezebel; Obadiah would have been taken up with the more weightier matters of consoling the prophets of Baal in the wake of their humiliation and defeat on Carmel.

Elijah was pointing the lost sheep of the house of Israel to, ‘the strength of Israel’ (1Sam15:29); he was pointing away from failed Secularist policies which had evoked the wrath and judgment of God; he was pointing to the LORD, the ‘strength and shield' of His people. The Reformation movement started on Mount Carmel, when Elijah:-
1 Gathered the lost sheep of the house of Israel together; they were famished, they had witnessed the defeat and misery that Secularism had delivered, and they were turning their backs against Secularist Humanist error and had begun to look to God. ‘And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him’.
2 Elijah takes the nation back to the foundational truths and principles of God’s Word as we have just seen.
3 Elijah repairs the altar of God; in this, he is uplifting the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ; he is exalting the name of Jehovah, the covenant keeping God of His people; ‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ (Jhn12:32)
4 Elijah ‘took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob,’ and he ‘made a trench about the altar’; he uplifted the national need to God; only God could help Israel in their distress and urgent need; so Elijah spread that need before the Lord. Elijah made a trench; this signifies separation from the Secular principles and point to separation unto God. ‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you’ (2Cor6:17)
5 Elijah offers ‘the burnt sacrifice’; here was ‘the sin offering’, this was the only means of putting away sin.; if Israel was ever to enjoy reformation blessing, then it had to come from Redemption ground and from none other. ‘and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin’ (1Jhn1:7)
6 Elijah offers ‘the drink offering’, ‘and the water ran sound about the altar’ this betokens the desire for an out pouring of God’s Holy Spirit in Revival blessing.
7 Finally, Elijah offers prayer on the ground and merit of the shed blood; he offered prayer from a broken and contrite heart; he offered prayer earnestly. ‘Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. And the fire of God fell…’ Ah yes, ‘the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James5:16) ‘And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.’ So ‘the strength of Israel’ manifests His great glory and power upon the Reformation movement.


Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab (6)

The House of Ahab (6)

1 Kings 18

1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

Last time we looked at how the Lord sustains His persecuted saints in time of trial and tribulation; only when God’s people are Refreshed and Restored can they be Revived by the power of God the Holy Spirit. After the time of trial, Elijah was commanded of God to go and meet Ahab; now we come to the Show-down of ‘The House of Ahab’

Elijah, ‘strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man’ set out to confront the sinful House of Ahab; ‘the weapons of (his) warfare (were) not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds’. It is interesting that Elijah did not rely on the arm of the flesh, by strength of numbers; he did not hold a rally; no, his confidence was in God and not in paltry man.

The first person that Elijah met was Obadiah; now this man’s service for God was seriously compromised by political affiliation with ‘The House of Ahab’. Ahab had promoted Obadiah in the political realm, he became ‘governor’ of Ahab’s house; so Obadiah was bought and therefore could not rebuke his master. While Obadiah did help the prophets of God, he was dealing with the effect and leaving the cause alone; his duty to God was to protest against ‘The House of Ahab’ that was destroying God’s people. When a church has political affiliation with the Secularist political establishment, then it cannot serve God. ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon’. A classic example of this is The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster; being inextricably linked to Paisleyism, it can neither rebuke nor condemn the Secularist policies and proposals advanced by the power sharing executive which it supports. This is the same the whole world over; churches get obligated to the Secularist system, the system blinds and binds their testimony, and the church falls into the global Obadiah movement; they become Secularist puppets.

When Elijah meets Ahab; it is Ahab that blames God’s messenger for the famine in the land; evidently he has no perception of the national sin that God was visiting with judgment. Like the Secularists of today, there was no fault with man or with the plethora of pagan gods; the blame for all woes must be leveled against Almighty God and His people. Elijah silences the diatribe of nonsense from Ahab; ‘I have not troubled Israel; but thou and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.’ The judgment of God in Israel was on account of national sin; that sin was occasioned by the Secularist policies of Ahab’s power sharing executive.


It is amazing to see here that God was mixing mercy with the wrath that He was pouring upon sinful Israel; showing that He ‘was not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.’ Almighty God sent His servant Elijah to confront ‘The House of Ahab’, thus giving them room to repent before they would self destruct. So Elijah challenges Ahab to bring the false prophets in the land to Mount Carmel for a public Show-down. ‘So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.’ Elijah saw the devastation in Israel, caused by The House of Ahab’, so he ‘came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.’ The time had come for the ordinary people of Israel, to make a choice concerning the religious identity of their nation; similarly in our own nations we have also reached such a time of decision.

So the Show-down began; the state sponsored prophets of Baal, which are representative of Secular Humanism today, on the one hand; while Elijah the prophet of God was on the other. The contest was with regard to fire falling on the altar; ‘and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.’ The prophets of Baal, although they made such a great show in the flesh and evidently enjoyed much popular support, failed miserably; they were humiliated as Elijah poked fun at their folly. Here is the classic example of fallen, fallible and foolish man failing in his vain attempt to vindicate himself; this is the certain humiliation and ruin that awaits Secular Humanism. It mattered not, how much they denied God, it mattered not how much they made a show in the flesh; the banner over the false prophets of Secular Humanism, reads FAILURE; ‘there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.’ The Secularist ‘House of Ahab’ had removed God’s Word from the state, the judgment of God ensued, bringing with it drought and famine. The prophets of Baal had no answer to the national crisis, as the false prophets of Secular Humanism are helpless today.

Elijah ‘said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.’ This brings us to consider finally,the Strength of Israel.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

Paisley a man of principle?

Paisley, a man of principle?

As Rev Ian Paisley paid tribute to Lord Carson in his Belfast News Letter article, describing him as ‘a fearless man of principle’, I couldn’t help thinking that he was attempting some sort of self portrait. At the time of the Anglo Irish Agreement, Mr Paisley famously shouted, ‘Never, never, never, never’, to Dublin involvement in the affairs of Protestant Ulster; but by the signing of the St Andrew’s Agreement, he quickly turned away from his once held principles on Biblical separation.

If the roles were reversed, how would the fearless and principled Lord Carson describe Rev Ian Paisley when he converted to the Secularist cause in signing up to the St Andrew’s Agreement? How would this principled statesman describe Paisleyism for sitting in government with Sinn Fein IRA? How would he describe, Free Presbyterian ministers that support and participate in a power sharing executive; bearing in mind that morality in the Executive is social in origin and application? Would Lord Carson shout well done, to the DUP / Sinn Fein CSI document, which is a blueprint to Secularism and a betrayal of evangelical Protestantism?

We may well speculate what the comments may have been in this hypothetical situation; however, there can be no dispute in the fact that, Lord Carson displayed both a fearless spirit and a principled integrity in his day; his word was his bond, as he remained faithful on his watch; he didn’t surrender his principles nor those of his supporters for political expediency or personal gain.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab (5)

The House of Ahab (5)

Last time we saw the sudden and unexpected appearance of Elijah as he confronted Ahab; God’s messenger warned, that God would implement Sanctions against Israel’s sin and rebellion, with immediate effect. God would withhold the rain from that nation that had rejected His Word and discredited His holy name. While the judgment of God was being pored upon that sinful and wicked nation of Israel, we get a glimpse of how in the midst of such desperate circumstances, God miraculously Sustains His redeemed people.

1Kings 17 2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

While God judged the land of Egypt and Pharaoh, He sustained His people in Goshen; and so we have another example of this in 1Kings 17. Elijah was directed by God’s Word to Cherith; the Word of God was ‘a lamp to his feet and a light unto his path’. If God’s people in a time of crisis are ever to be Sustained, then they must be first of all Refreshed. In obedience to God’s commandment, Elijah found Refreshing at the brook Cherith. It was there that God refreshed His child at the beginning and end of each day; God’s servant commenced and concluded each day with a portion from the Lord. ‘The House of Ahab’ had nothing to offer Elijah; yet God instructed the crows to feed His servant, morning and evening. This man from Gilead was being taught that, ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’; ‘And having food and raiment let us be therewith content’ (1Tim6:6&8) Remember how the Saviour admonished His disciples to come aside to be Refreshed; ‘Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:’ (Mrk6:31)

1Kings17: 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 8And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. Elijah follows the instruction of the Lord and comes to Zarephath; he had undertaken a very dangerous journey right through drought stricken Israel and had arrived where the fury of Jezebel was being vented. Here the prophet of God’s strength was to be Restored; not only so but also that of the widow and her son. The thought of Restoration is found in these words ‘And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruise of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah’ God restored the meal and the oil so that the supply was guaranteed. In the most unlikely place and with the most unlikely means, God Restores His servants. How appropriate are the words of Psalm23 ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

So often, God’s people are inclined to misunderstand a situation that God allows to develop; the widow was greatly distressed when her son died; in a moment of deep anxiety and despair she chided the man of God. 17And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? Yet the Lord was working all things together for the good of His people and for the greater glory of His thrice holy name. What is being taught here is Revival; only the power of Almighty God could raise the dead; only the power of God could revive the nation of Israel again. The passage that we have viewed shows the simple but all important steps to Revival blessing for God’s people; first there must be Refreshing and then Restoration; with these two steps taken, then the people of God can pray aright for and receive Revival blessing. ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’ (2Chron7:14)

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab (4)

The House of Ahab (4)

1 Kings 17

1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

With regard to ‘The House of Ahab’ we have viewed the Structure and have understood it to have been constructed after the Secularist design; in other words it was constructed in such a way as to remove God’s Word from the state. Next our attention was drawn to the Sin of ‘The House of Ahab’; with the removal of God’s Word from the state there was no barrier against sin and depravity; sinners waxed worse and worse; paganism and idolatry flourished while the power sharing executive functioned in Samaria.

Now we come to view the Sanction that God brought against ‘The House of Ahab’; God was highly displeased with this Secularist state and exercised His divine prerogative against the wickedness that prevailed in Israel.

1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead; God sent His Messenger to ‘The House of Ahab’; Elijah was chosen by God from among the inhabitants of Gilead; he was the means that God was pleased to use to show Ahab that there was a penalty for breaking God’s Law. As Gilead means rocky and is a mountainous area, we can see that Elijah was identified with the ‘rock’ which speaks of Christ; he was also identified with the mountain, which speaks of Calvary; as a prophet of God, Elijah was of necessity reconciled to God on the grounds and merits of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Elijah was God’s messenger, a chosen vessel for the hour of need in his generation. Who will be willing in the day of God’s power today?

Elijah said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, this faithful messenger spake boldly for his Master. Elijah bore testimony to the indisputable fact that, the LORD was God of Israel; he told Ahab that the covenant keeping God of His redeemed people was God in Israel. The Almighty had not stood down to make way for Baal; the truth that Elijah affirmed, was that ‘the Lord omnipotent reigneth’; Almighty God was still on the throne; God was seated upon the circle of the earth and men were as grasshoppers in His sight. Secularism had made Ahab ignorant and foolish; he was laboring under a misapprehension; he had thought that mortal man was in charge, he foolishly imagined that pagan deities ruled in Israel and were worthy of worship. The message that Elijah brought to ‘The House of Ahab’ was a pagan shattering one; ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ (Ex20:3)

Elijah said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth; the message was loud and clear, not only was God on the throne, but that He was alive. No matter how The House of Ahab’ had tried to cast God’s Word out of society, no matter how the Secularist spin doctors declared that the concept of God was dead; their efforts had been in vain as Elijah declared that God was indeed alive and all powerful. What a message of hope and encouragement to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, their God was alive and that for evermore. That is the sort of message that God would have His servants proclaim in this day of Secularist delusion and error. ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’ (Heb10:31)

Elijah, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand; he would not be intimidated before an ungodly ruler; he was not ashamed of his Redeemer; Elijah was not bound by political correctness, nor by equality legislation,; he told Ahab the apostate, that he served the LORD. The Lord’s messenger testified of his standing in Christ; he knew that he had a solid and lasting foundation; he was standing on victory ground that is what gave him boldness. ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ (Psalm24:3-4) This was a stinging rebuke to ‘The House of Ahab’ which was without moral foundation and had sunk deep in sin and wickedness.

Elijah told Ahab, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. The divine Sanction was implemented; ‘The House of Ahab’ had brought the nation of Israel into sin and rebellion against Almighty God; now God was exercising His prerogative and the nation of Israel was coming under the Sanctions of God. Famine and drought were on the horizon for Israel, no clever political trick; no Secularist initiative could prevent the certain judgment of Almighty God. Israel had chosen Secularism and rejected God; an action certain to provoke wrath and it did. ‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;’ (Rom1:18)


Our nation of Great Britain is a mirror image of ‘The House of Ahab’; Secularism has torn God’s people from their heritage, cast His Word out of society, introduced and sponsored every imaginable heresy and false religion and has set about destroying this once Christian country. Undoubtedly the judgment of God will fall upon our sinful Christ rejecting nation; the global economic crisis is but a wake up call that judgment is on the way. In Ulster, we had been so privileged to have such civil and religious liberty as we have enjoyed until a few years ago; Paisleyism signed up to the principles of Secularism at St Andrews and now the plague of ungodliness is flowing across our province; sadly, it is being followed by God’s wrath and judgment. ‘Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.’ (Psalm12:1)

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'The House of Ahab' 3

The House of Ahab (3)

1Kings 16:31-34

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 34In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

Last time we considered the Structure of ‘The House of Ahab’ and discovered it to be a political power sharing arrangement, built wholly upon the foundation of Secularism. Next, our attention is turned to the Sin of ‘The House of Ahab’ which plagued Israel; this presents an alarming parallel which can be traced in society globally, where the sin of a citizen can spiral into national sin.

1 Ahab chose the path of counterfeit worship; he followed in the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who set up counterfeit altars at Bethel and Dan. Ahab departed from the altar of God and the sin offering, he turned his back on the Mercy Seat; he rejected God’s Lamb and went a whoring after golden calves which can never expiate sin. This depicts many today that are turning away from Reformed Faith principles and are following the ecumenical path to the counterfeit altar of the Mass; like Ahab, those that reject God’s Lamb, will not find salvation in counterfeit worship, even if it is conducted at a golden altar. ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts4:12)

2 Ahab’s sin multiplied when he married Jezebel; he had thrown off the Word of God and cast aside the only barrier that kept him back from sin. Now Ahab was uniting his counterfeit religion with paganism; Jezebel was instrumental in converting her husband to pagan idolatry; this is how sin works, it causes a downward spiral. For many, across the world today, there is an insatiable desire for them to be identified with the pagan past.
‘There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death’ (Prov14:12)

3 Ahab’s sin took him lower and lower; he became a worshipper and servant of Baal, the pagan male god of the Phonetians and Zidonians. He refused to worship and serve his Maker, but he saw no problem in serving a dunghill deity such as Baal. The secular structure that Ahab had built removed the Word of God out of the state and created a perfect environment in which paganism could flourish; after all, Israel had become multicultural, it had become pluralist in out look; equality legislation encouraged Ahab to display intolerance towards God’s Word while protecting him as he sold his soul to Baal. Secularism, today is promoting the same sin across the world; human rights policies protect ethnic pagan minorities, while discriminating against Biblical Christianity. ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.’ (Prov14:34)

4 The sin of ‘The House of Ahab’ continued to multiply under the banner of Secularism; the restraint of God’s Word was removed from society, resulting in sinners waxing worse and worse. Ahab ‘reared up an altar for Baal in the land of Israel; an outrageous act in a land where God’s Word was once proclaimed; what is more astounding, there was no protest against his vile act. Secularism had outlawed legitimate protest against sin and had grant aided pagan rites and practices; such is the case in once so called Christian countries across the world today. ‘And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him'.(1Kings16:30)

5 Ahab built a house for Baal; he laid the foundation of pagan idolatry in the soil of Israel, a land that once held up the Word of Almighty God. Now Ahab’s sin was becoming the sin of the nation; as the house of Baal was built by government funding, it was built by the people of that nation; now the sin of ‘The House of Ahab’ had become national sin. This is precisely what Secularism is doing today; world leaders with their Secularist governments are encouraging national sin. ‘The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom6:23)

6 Ahab made a grove; he made a wooden shrine so as to multiply error and abomination in the land of Israel. God had said to Moses, ‘But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god:’ (Ex34:13-14) Ahab was doing the opposite of what God’s commandment required; this Secular agenda is exactly what provokes the wrath and indignation of God to fall upon such a nation. ‘Because there is wrath, beware, lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.’ (Job36:18)

7 Finally ‘The House of Ahab’ in pursuit of their Secular agenda, gives their blessing on what God has cursed; in other words, Ahab’s subjects imagined that they could overrule Almighty God. ‘In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho:’ the subjects of Ahab didn’t regard God’s wrath or curse; ‘every man did that which was right in their own eyes’. These seven retrograde steps reveal the magnitude of the Sin found in ‘The House of Ahab’ as they promoted their Secularist policies.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab (2)

The House of Ahab (2)

1Kings 16

30And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

The House of Ahab ‘did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him’; it was not as if Ahab was in ignorance with regard to the transgression and wickedness that he worked before the LORD; he knew full well what he was doing, after all he was king of Israel, he ruled over God’s people. Ahab would have been familiar with the commandment of Almighty God; he certainly was no stranger to God’s Word; this was the authority whereby he reigned in Israel; this Word was the standard upon which the government system in Israel was founded. In spite of all this, Ahab, rebelled against the LORD God of Israel and worked wickedness in the land. So too, for many of our political leaders throughout the world today; many of them have a knowledge of God’s Word; many countries have their constitutions based upon or in some way identified with Biblical Christianity, yet, they work iniquity as the House of Ahab did, as they implement Secularist policies to the exclusion of God’s Word from society.

Ahab introduced a radical change into the political system of his day; as a ruling monarch he married ‘Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him’. This would have been perceived to be a clever trick among Ahab’s spin doctors; this was an opportunity for cross border trade, here was an avenue to commercial treaties with the Zidonians and Phonetians. The sea port of Zidon opened up global trade opportunities, where Israel could participate in a global society and trade in a global market; Ahab wanted Israel to be part of that economic environment; it was also popular among the people as it would have brought commercial and employment opportunities; there was a market economy potential and a whole new world order developing.

Possibilities opened up as a result of this unholy marriage; migrant workers could move freely between the two countries and beyond; Israel was becoming more cosmopolitan, more multicultural; there was a mixing of the races and traditions, a variation of cultural identities and philosophies. Many would ask, what is wrong with a country growing economically? What is wrong with cross border trade and development? What is wrong with a country competing on the global market? The answer is, absolutely nothing! There is nothing wrong when a country develops and grows economically and technologically, nothing wrong at all.

However, there is something seriously wrong, when a government rejects the Word of God that it once cherished and depended upon; there is something wrong when the cost of political reform and development is realized in the rejection of Biblical Christianity. Ahab’s coalition government was formed on the basis of separating the Word of God from society; when Ahab shared power with Jezebel, it was at the expense of God’s Word. This is Secularism in all its vileness; the details of this power sharing executive between Ahab and Jezebel were written by the hand of Humanism with the pen of Secularism. The house of Ahab was built on totally Secularist principles and values; equality legislation, equal opportunities, a shared future, a pluralist society and undoubtedly a CSI policy, (Cohesion, Sharing, Integration) all conspired to remove the Word of God out of Israel.

The House of Ahab can be viewed in the European Union; the EU is built on Secularism, where various member states have come together in the same way as Ahab and Jezebel did; the EU is sustained by Secular philosophy, this philosophy can only exist in isolation from the Word of God; bring God’s Word into society and Secularism dies.

Now let us come back to our subject, ‘the House of Ahab’; we have scratched the surface of this enormous subject and have gotten a glimpse of its Structure; it is a political power sharing arrangement built upon the foundation of Secularism; it can only stand by human consent and strength while being insulated from the Word of God. We want to develop our subject by returning to the Scriptural narrative and major on the circumstances of God’s people in such a situation.


Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

The House of Ahab

The House of Ahab

1Kings chapter 16

28So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead. 29And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. 30And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 34In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

This passage of God’s Word introduces the person of Ahab, the seventh king of Israel; of the nineteen kings that sat on the throne of Israel, the northern kingdom, each and all were evil before the LORD, but none were as wicked and ill set as Ahab. There is of course a reason why the Holy Spirit of God should single out such a wicked person as this and describe him in such detail in the canon of Scripture; I believe that it is for the instruction of God’s people in various generations, but especially for our instruction in this present day. ‘And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.’

The house of Ahab depicts a particular political movement that is sweeping across the world today; this movement is destroying evangelical Protestantism, it is removing the Word of God from society and is systematically wearing out the redeemed of God. The Secularist movement is a force for unparalleled evil, not only in Ulster but across the globe. This advancing wickedness is evidenced as different governments across the world implement the political principles of Secularism.

In the UK, Secularist philosophy started to flourish in the Blair administration and is gaining ground steadily; in Ulster it was Paisleyism that introduced this plague into our Protestant culture; in America Secularism began to blossom under Mr. Clinton; France has boasted in Secularism for quite some time now, and so the picture develops globally. ‘And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.’

According to the ‘National Secular Society’; ‘this life is the only one of which we have any knowledge’; this is a direct contradiction of God’s Word. ‘Human effort is directed to its improvement’; so man is getting better according to Secularist reasoning. ‘Supernaturalism is based on ignorance and is the historic enemy of progress’; here is a direct attack against God and His Word. ‘Morality is social in origin and in application’; so Secularism throws out the moral law which is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. Secularism demands God’s Word to be removed entirely from the state.

With the help of Almighty God, I want to view the ‘House of Ahab’ as being typical of this global scourge that is presently threatening the Reformed Faith; secondly I want to consider where this overall plan of the devil is leading to; and finally as to what God’s people can and must do. ‘And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.’

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'My people hath been lost sheep' (3)

‘My people hath been lost sheep’ (3)

4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
6My people hath been lost sheep: (Jerm50:4-6) we have already looked at the Past and the Path of the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’, with respect to Secularism. Sadly the ‘lost sheep’ of God’s pasture had slipped away from the mountain of God’s Word and settled on the hills of Secularism. However, after reflecting on their Past mistakes and sin before Almighty God, these ‘lost sheep’ began to consider their state before the Lord; after having endured the Path of transgressors and found it indeed to be hard; they began to repent of their evil ways.

Their Penitence is set forth in verses 4&5 of Jeremiah chapter 50; there was a future day, a day coming that these ‘lost sheep’ would return to the Lord their God with Penitent heart. This is what marks out the true child of God; they may stumble and fall; they often fail the Lord in thought, word and deed; but when their hearts are touched by God’s compassions which fail not, then they begin to ponder their standing in Christ and their state before God and men. When they hear afresh the voice of the Good Shepherd, calling out to them and beckoning them back to the sheep fold of God’s Word, then their hearts begin to melt.

A Penitent heart is always soft, ‘going and weeping’; when God melts the heart of His redeemed, divisions and bitterness fade away, ‘the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together’. Secularism can never withstand the power of God’s Word stirring the heart of society; no Secular power can resist the unity of the ‘bride of Christ’, as God’s people return to the Lord with Penitent hearts.

What a difference it would be to see God’s people transform society that has lain in the grip of Secularism, through the power of heart rending and believing prayer; ‘they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.’ Secularism has cast the Word of God out of pulpits, fellowships and out of society as well; but when God’s people humble themselves and pray, Secularism will be defeated and God’s Word can be installed in the rightful place. ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’

When the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’ begin with Penitent heart, to seek the Good Shepherd for direction and guidance, then the hand of divine providence appears. ‘They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward,’ when God’s people desire the protection that the stronghold of God’s Word affords then the walls of Secularism will fall. When the Penitent in heart remembers that, ‘The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and are safe’, then the tower of Secularism will fall flat.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'My people hath become lost sheep' (2)

‘My people hath been lost sheep’ (2)

6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers. (Jerm50:6-7)

Last time we considered God’s people as to their Past; in Jeremiah’s day, as at present God’s redeemed people, had turned away from the mountain of God’s holiness and chose themselves the hills of Secularism. They had separated themselves from the foundation of the Word of God and based their lives on a purely Secular foundation; this was to prove to be a disastrous decision.

The Path that they had chosen was to prove very difficult and treacherous; any path that leads away from the fundamental principles and practices of God’s Word is treacherous in the extreme and will lead to loss and ruin. Secularism always leads society in a downward spiral from the standard of Scriptural truth; this is more particularly so when God’s people become ‘lost sheep’ as they slip away from the ‘Good Shepherd.’

On the path of Secularism, God’s people that have become ‘lost sheep’ are without protection; they quickly become a prey to the lion of compromise and the bear of backsliding. Their testimonies become stained by worldly opinion and soiled by self righteous hypocrisy; they no longer exhibit a Christ likeness, rather they take on the appearance of the unsaved. Of a truth God’s people quickly become ‘lost sheep’ on the barren and ungodly hills of Secularism.

‘All that found them have devoured them:’ the Path that leads from fellowship with God is the same one that leads to defeat and loss. In Jeremiah’s day God’s people were devoured by the enemy; the Assyrians and the Babylonians showed the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’ no mercy or compassion; they were swallowed up by the enemy. So today, God’s people that are on the Secular path are having their testimonies and heritage swallowed up by Secular Humanism; what is more alarming, is that they have no power to withstand the present day enemies of the cross of Christ. The reason being, is that they have been discredited and therefore cannot advance an argument based on God’s Word.

‘and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ What an awful Path for the ‘lost sheep’ to tread; a Path where their enemies can justify themselves in the sins of God’s people; this is reproach beyond measure, where God’s name is reproached.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'My people hath been lost sheep' (1)

My people hath been lost sheep

4In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers. (Jerm50:4-7)

In the Reformed Faith, those that are saved by grace through faith, are often referred to in God’s Word as sheep, or the sheep of God’s pasture; at the same time, the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the ‘good shepherd,’ the One that giveth His life for the sheep. In this passage, God is speaking to His people; ‘My people hath been lost sheep’. In these spiritually dark days in Ulster, when Secularism is seeking to dominate society, let us draw near to God’s Word and find direction.

‘My people hath been lost sheep’ Firstly we have a view of God’s people as to their Past; ‘their shepherds have caused them to go astray,’ many pastors and preachers, so as to keep up with the times, invited Secularism into their flocks; firstly the Word of God was attacked by liberalism and modernism before being presented in a more secular format, which became popular with the more casual reader and follower. With this step taken, soon the secular spirit moved freely amongst God’s people; the standard of spiritual living dropped to worldly standards, a greater emphasis was placed on so called ‘worship’ than on preaching; old hymns and psalms were used less frequently and the modern songs with orchestral accompaniment became acceptable.

Secularism did not stop here; these deluded pastors introduced political correctness, equality initiatives, pragmatism, pluralism and politics into their congregations. Church fellowships became social networking centers; God’s people were ‘turned away on the mountains’; no more separation unto the Lord, instead spiritual adultery and whoredom; no longer ‘holiness unto the Lord’, instead, self righteous hypocrisy, God’s people left the mountain of Biblical Christianity and settled on the hills of Secularism, a retrograde step. They had separated their lives from the Word of God; they were able to identify with Christianity intellectually, but their lives were secular; ‘they have forgotten their resting place’; they have surrendered to Secularism.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

Response to Irish Presbyterian Moderator's comments on the CSI Document

Belonging to the Reformed Faith, I am confused by Dr Hamilton's comments. Firstly, he is responding to the CSI document issued by the Secularist Stormont Executive; it is the political establishment that is introducing this trinity of Secular Humanist philosophy into a Christian society. I could concur with Dr Hamilton, if he considered the CSI to be 'hugely disappointing and fatally flawed' on the basis of Biblical Christianity; however, Dr Hamilton's remarks were made in the context that church leaders were not included nor consulted at the draft stage of the document; showing a willingness for him to engage in such a process; I could not concur with this.

It is patently obvious that it was Secularism that waded into evangelical Protestant churches and dragged them down the ecumenical route while simultaneously casting the Word of God out of their pulpits. Now that Secularism is casting the Word of God out of society, Dr Hamilton is unhappy that churches were not allowed to participate in the forward planning of such wickedness, this does not add up.

Dr Hamilton desires that churches urgently create a short statement on 'common purpose' with regard to a cohesive and integrated society'; as a starting point he cites 'hospitality and manners' as worthy subjects to be addressed. With respect, this is playing further into the hands of Secular Humanism which promotes atheism and agnosticism. The sort of short statement that should come from those of the Reformed Faith to this trinity of evil document is 'NO'!

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'Ephraim is a cake not turned, (3)

‘Ephraim is a cake not turned, (3)

From the passage in Hosea chapter 7 we have viewed the Situation that Ephraim was in those days of spiritual compromise; next we considered the Slip that Ephraim made in stepping without the camp of Israel and joining the secular spirit of the time. The parallel between Ephraim and Paisleyism has been drawn; it is plain to see how both have succumbed to the subtlety of Secularism.

‘Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.’ Ephraim had become a Spectacle; once a fruitful bough for God, now reduced to a Secular Spectacle. ‘Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not’; the strength that Ephraim once knew through God was now surrendered into secular hands.

Ephraim had surrendered his power to those without the camp of Israel; they had entered into power sharing with the enemies of Israel; they gave the strength of their heritage into enemy hands. Now those that were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel were devouring and destroying the power that Ephraim once enjoyed; and the tragedy was that ‘he knoweth it not’. How could Ephraim be so careless, how could they be so complacent as to not know that they had sold out their power to strangers? What a picture of the spectacle that Paisleyism is today; they handed the power of evangelical Protestantism into the hands of strangers; and they don’t appear to know what they have done; what a ridiculous Spectacle.

Ephraim had changed; ‘gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it not.’ Everyone else had seen the change in Ephraim, it was clearly visible; Israel saw it, the strangers saw it, God saw it; but Ephraim had not even noticed. Why? How? Could it be, that it was because they were so busy in criticizing everyone else, that they forgot to take a look at themselves in the mirror of truth? Did they think that no one had noticed? Did they think that a little cosmetic colouring would deceive the onlooker? Ephraim had turned away from their original colour and everybody knew it; yet the Spectacle was, Ephraim would not admit it; what a picture of the spectacle of Paisleyism today.

Finally, Ephraim added to their Spectacle in Hosea7:10 ‘And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.’ Even though God was faithful to Ephraim in showing him his error, yet Ephraim refused to seek God’s mercy. ‘He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy’ (Prov29:1) Ephraim in so many ways is representative of Paisleyism, which is presently a Spectacle or a gazing stock in Ulster.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'Ephraim is a cake not turned' (2)

‘Ephraim is a cake not turned’ 2

As Hosea was proclaiming God’s message, it was a time when there were many tensions in Israel; society was becoming less influenced by God’s Word; people were less spiritual and more carnal, they were experimenting with other religions and turning away from the one and only true God. ‘My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.’ (ch4:12) Secularism had eaten into society.

Ephraim, that once fruitful bough, should have been more vigilant; sadly they had become complacent on their watch, they turned from their former principles and flirted with the Secular spirit of the age. Hosea7:8 ‘Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people;’ Ephraim had made the SLIP, which was to take their testimony into the Secular gutter. Ephraim had wickedly departed from the Lord their God and set their affections on the things of this life. They had grown presumptuous, thinking that they could cover their sin from the gaze of the world; they had become hypocritical. ‘And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face’ (:2) ‘there is none among them that calleth unto me.’ (:7)

Ephraim had slipped away from the Lord; no more prayer from the heart, every outward show was reduced to mere ritualistic rant and empty profession; their heart was empty, they no longer called unto the Lord from a broken and a contrite heart. ‘Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people’. Ephraim had sought numerical strength among the world; Ephraim desired to live to the standards and precepts of those without the camp of Israel. Ephraim slipped through the hedge that God had beset His believing people with; they were now grazing with the goats in bypath meadow. In this day of spiritual calamity in Ulster the same can be said of Paisleyism; they too have slipped from the old paths of separation unto the Lord and are eating at the swine troughs of Secularism.

‘Ephraim is a cake not turned, what an interesting metaphor this is; Ephraim here is depicted as merely half baked or half hearted; this gives the impression of lukewarm ness which is offensive and distasteful to the Lord; Ephraim was lukewarm like the church at Laodicea, of which Christ said; ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot; I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’ (Rev3:15-16) Paisleyism like Ephraim had climbed upon the fence of indifference; they would not condemn the error and evil of duplicitous compromise, neither would they support the LORD of hosts.

Paisleyism, like ‘Ephraim is a cake not turned’; lukewarm and unpalatable in the sight of God and before His people.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)

'Ephraim is a cake not turned' (1)

‘Ephraim is a cake not turned’ (1)

For some time now I have been critical of Paisleyism; my criticism is not due to some personal bitterness, neither am I alone in protesting against what has happened to evangelical Protestantism here in Ulster. With others in the Reformed Faith, I cannot accept how Paisleyism could turn from former separatist principles and enter into power sharing government with unrepentant terrorists; this has soiled the testimony of evangelical Protestantism, here and across the world.

However, when Paisleyism published proposals on integrated education recently, then the full extent of the situation has been revealed; evidently there has been a throwing off of separatist principles, but this is coupled to a conversion to Secularism. In a Christian democracy, it would be utterly impossible to integrate Protestant and Catholic education systems; it would necessitate the integration of both theologies and this could never be done. On the other hand, if this were a Secular democracy, then with God’s Word removed, it would be easy to integrate both education traditions; it appears that Paisleyism is couching their integrated education proposals in a totally Secular context.

With this SITUATION in mind, I want to turn to God’s Word in Hosea7:8-10
‘Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.’ This passage is found in the first of the Minor Prophets; Hosea was sent of God with a message that revealed God’s judgement was being poured out on spiritual whoredom among God’s redeemed people.

Hosea’s message was sharp and to the point; God was exposing the sin of His people; that sin was going to be visited with righteous judgement; judgement was to begin in the house of the Lord; and in Hosea’s message there was a call to repentance before the chastening stroke of God would fall. So in the verses before us, Hosea singles out Ephraim, from among all the tribes of Israel. Ephraim means ‘double fruitfulness’ so here are some of God’s people that have been fruitful, that are being highlighted here. Ephraim was Joseph’s second son; it is written of Joseph, ‘Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:’ so the message on the lips of Hosea was being directed at a particular tribe in Israel that had been associated with fruit bearing; a tribe that had fallen away backwards.

In Hosea’s day the SITUATION in Israel was very bad indeed; God’s people had lost their testimony before the world; some in their number had turned away from the ‘old paths’; some had turned away from the ‘fountain head’ and were hewing out themselves, cisterns that could hold no water. Hosea cries, he criticises, he protests against Ephraim.
‘Ephraim is a cake not turned’