A cake not turned

Rev Khoo spoke on the book of Hosea today. He focused on the constant failings of Ephraim and how God had to speak to them both in words and actions. I think the phrase he used was "prophetic words and punitive action".

The part which especially struck me was Hosea 7:8 “Ephraim is a cake not turned.” He quoted Spurgeon on this, and being a kantang I had to find the english version in order to understand it better:

Hosea 7:8
Morning and Evening
C H Spurgeon

“Ephraim is a cake not turned.” — Hosea 7:8

A cake not turned is uncooked on one side; and so Ephraim was, in many respects, untouched by divine grace: though there was some partial obedience, there was very much rebellion left. My soul, I charge thee, see whether this be thy case. Art thou thorough in the things of God? Has grace gone through the very centre of thy being so as to be felt in its divine operations in all thy powers, thy actions, thy words, and thy thoughts? To be sanctified, spirit, soul, and body, should be thine aim and prayer; and although sanctification may not be perfect in thee anywhere in degree, yet it must be universal in its action; there must not be the appearance of holiness in one place and reigning sin in another, else thou, too, wilt be a cake not turned.

A cake not turned is soon burnt on the side nearest the fire, and although no man can have too much religion, there are some who seem burnt black with bigoted zeal for that part of truth which they have received, or are charred to a cinder with a vainglorious Pharisaic ostentation of those religious performances which suit their humour. The assumed appearance of superior sanctity frequently accompanies a total absence of all vital godliness. The saint in public is a devil in private. He deals in flour by day and in soot by night. The cake which is burned on one side, is dough on the other.

If it be so with me, O Lord, turn me! Turn my unsanctified nature to the fire of thy love and let it feel the sacred glow, and let my burnt side cool a little while I learn my own weakness and want of heat when I am removed from thy heavenly flame. Let me not be found a double-minded man, but one entirely under the powerful influence of reigning grace; for well I know if I am left like a cake unturned, and am not on both sides the subject of thy grace, I must be consumed for ever amid everlasting burnings.

(this is a great website with a whole host of hosea commentaries and devotionals. Shall share more after reading it!)

For me, it speaks about having God in all aspects of your life, and not being overly focused on 1 aspect of your spiritual self or being partially obedient. Rev Khoo used this to illustrate the need for moderation in our service? (i might be wrong because i'm still trying to understand these cheem chinese messages) but sometimes I feel that we tend to slip into apathy rather than being over zealous. Can we ever do enough for God? do we even try to fan into flame the spark for service? Perhaps he's focusing on those who "seem burnt black with bigoted zeal for that part of truth which they have received, or are charred to a cinder with a vainglorious Pharisaic ostentation of those religious performances which suit their humour." Maybe we're too quick to jump to conclusions and then hold fast to our bigoted views without seeking divine wisdom? So many questions and no answers...yet!

I also like Hosea because there's this whole imagery of the baker and baking before that bit:

For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night: in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges: all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me." (Hosea 7: 6-7)

It's such a strange analogy/simile (at least for me) that it makes you look at it more closely. Does this talk about the up and downs of the Israelites, how they waxed hot and cold? Why were they lying in wait? How did they "devour" their judges? Were they too hot that they couldn't sustain the fire?

Think I shall have to really read and study the whole book to understand it...all I remember about Hosea was his unfaithful wife Gomer and how she kept going back into sin despite him redeeming her over and over again...guess it's the more sensational bit that stuck (=

The old testament is filled with such interesting books...shall endeavour to read more and stop slacking in my daily devotions!