from the idols. At the close of the Prophet
Hosea, however, Ephraim is made to speak and a significant word it
is. "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I
have heard Him, and observed Him; I am like a green fir tree. From
me is thy fruit found" (xiv:8).

A familiar yet blessed truth is contained in this statement. Ephraim
dealt with by judgments after the severe rebukes of the Lord could
not let go the idols. Joined to idols, the Lord said, "Let him
alone." But the day was to come when Ephraim would willingly forsake
all idols and cry out, "What have I any more to do with idols?" And
what brought about Ephraim's conversion? Ephraim heard Him and
observed Him. The sight of the Lord, His love and tenderness, His
patience and kindness beheld in faith, was enough for Ephraim to
forsake all idols and cleave to Him alone. Thus Ephraim became like
a green fir tree.

And this is still true to-day. There is no other way to be separated
from idols and walk wholly with the Lord than Ephraim's way. Why are
God's people joined to idols? Why are Christians half-hearted,
conformed to this present evil age, given to covetousness, which is
idolatry (Col. iii:5)? There is but one answer. Our hearts do not
listen to that blessed voice, which delights to speak to those who
belong to Him. Our eyes do not look upon Him in all His glory and
beauty. We lose sight of Him who is altogether lovely. Our minds
instead of being occupied with the things of Christ are centered
upon earthly things. Our thoughts are so little brought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ and are controlled by our own
imaginations and the spirit of the times. There is no other way of
being delivered from idols, from everything which would draw us
away from Himself and all which hinders from giving to Him the
pre-eminence. That way is heart occupation with our Lord, conscious
communion with Him through His Word in the power of His Spirit. We
must hear Him, we must observe Him. Then He appears to our hearts in
all His lowliness, in all His majesty and glory, and that vision
will be enough to disgust us with the playthings of the dust and He
will become the supreme object of our lives. There is no other way
to practical holiness than hearing Him and observing Him.

Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him?
Is not thine a captured heart?
"Chief among ten thousand" own Him,
Joyful choose the better part.

Idols once they w