EGW WritingsHosea 4
Ellen G. White
Read Hosea 4 in the BibleHosea 4:1-3
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 42, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 42, 1900, par. 4
There is great need of this work. The prophet Hosea gives a description of the condition of the world at the present time. “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel; for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land; because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.” [Hosea 4:1-3.]Hosea 4:1-6
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 24—“Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”
PK 297.1
Had Israel heeded the messages of the prophets, they would have been spared the humiliation that followed. It was because they had persisted in turning aside from His law that God was compelled to let them go into captivity. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” was His message to them through Hosea. “Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee: ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God.” Hosea 4:6.PK 297.3
The time preceding the captivity of the ten tribes of Israel was one of similar disobedience and of similar wickedness. God’s law was counted as a thing of nought, and this opened the floodgates of iniquity upon Israel. “The Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land,” Hosea declared, “because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” Hosea 4:1, 2.The Great Controversy
Chapter 3—An Era of Spiritual Darkness
GC 60.3
The condition of the world under the Romish power presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee: ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” Hosea 4:6, 1, 2. Such were the results of banishing the word of God.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 3—The Apostasy
GC88 60.3
The condition of the world under the Romish power presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” [Hosea 4:6, 1, 2.] Such were the results of banishing the Word of God.The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 3—The Roman Church
4SP 64.3
In the condition of the world under the Romish power was presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” [Hosea 4:6, 1, 2.] Such were the results of banishing the word of God.From Splendor to Shadow
Chapter 24—A Nation “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”
SS 158.3
Tenderly had the Lord dealt with them, instructing them by His prophets. If Israel had heeded the messages of the prophets, they would have been spared humiliation. But because they persisted in turning aside from His law, God was compelled to let them go into captivity. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” was His message. “Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee ... : seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God.” Hosea 4:6.SS 159.1
The time preceding the captivity of the ten tribes of Israel was one of similar wickedness. Hosea declared: “The Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There ... is swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds and murder follows murder.” Hosea 4:1, 2, RSV.Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]
MR No. 1334—Diary Selections—November, 1902; Evils in the Publishing House; Christians to Reflect Christ; Not to Speculate About God
18MR 220.3
Daniel 12—Read attentively this chapter. Hosea 4:1. [Verses 1-6, quoted.] There is work to be done. Who will take it up?Hosea 4:1-9
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 60, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 60, 1900, par. 18
Then will be seen the fulfillment of the Word of the Lord by the prophet Hosea: “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish ... My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject me. Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against thee; therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priests; and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” [Hosea 4:1-3, 6-9.]Hosea 4:1-16
The Review and Herald
January 29, 1914
RH January 29, 1914, par. 6
The Lord had rebuked Israel for their evil doing and had pleaded with them to mend their ways. “I have also spoken by the prophets,” he said, “and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.” Hosea 12:10. Through the prophet that appeared to Jeroboam before the altar at Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, God had repeatedly set before Israel the sure result of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel sank lower and lower in apostasy. “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,” the Lord declared. Hosea 4:16. “My people are bent to backsliding from me.” Hosea 11:7.RH January 29, 1914, par. 8
“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel,” the prophet Hosea boldly commanded: “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:1-9.RH January 29, 1914, par. 15
Among all classes of society, shameless drunkenness prevailed. “In the day of our king,” declared Hosea, “the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine.” Hosea 7:5. “Wine and new wine take away the heart.” Hosea 4:11. Amos testified, “Ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink.” Among women as well as men there were those who invited others to unite with them in revelry, saying, “Bring, and let us drink.” Amos 4:1.Hosea 4:1-17
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 23—The Assyrian Captivity
PK 281.1
Through the man of God that had appeared before the altar at Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, the Lord had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel had sunk lower and still lower in apostasy. “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,” the Lord declared; “My people are bent to backsliding from Me.” Hosea 4:16; 11:7.PK 281.3
“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel,” was the message that finally came to them: “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against Me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.... I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:1, 6-9.PK 285.2
The evils that had overspread the land had become incurable; and upon Israel was pronounced the dread sentence: “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it.” Hosea 4:17; 9:7.Hosea 4:1-19
Testimony for the Church — No. 27
Jeremiah.
T27 42.1
He entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had transpired in their history in fulfillment of the prophecies of retribution for unrepented sins. Sometimes, as in this case, men had arisen in opposition to the message of God, and predicted peace and prosperity, to quiet the fears of the people, and gain the favor of those in high places. But in every past instance the judgment of God had been visited upon Israel, as the true prophets had indicated. Said he “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him.” If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the false prophet.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 82, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 82, 1895, par. 1
Sabbath, October 19, the gathering at the tent was larger than we expected, as in the forenoon meetings were held by our people in the different churches. Hereafter all will come to the ground on Sabbath and Sunday. In the forenoon Brother Corliss spoke from Hosea words that were full of instruction. I spoke in the afternoon from the fourth [chapter] of John: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 163, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 163, 1897, par. 24
Read chapters four and six of the prophet Hosea. Those who trample upon God’s law make human laws which they will force the people to accept. Men will devise and counsel and plan what they will do. The whole world keeps Sunday, they say, and why should not this people, who are so few in number, do according to the laws of the land? Because they are blinded by error, because they take their words from the lips of the priests and the human law makers, they suppose that it does not matter if they do not keep the law of God instituted in Eden, when the foundations of the earth were laid, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. God’s memorial was then given to man, that he might honor the name of the living God who made the world in six days and sanctified and blessed the day of His rest.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 100, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 100, 1902, par. 10
Brother and Sister Prescott, there is a work for both of you to do. Learn what it is. Brother Prescott, the Lord has a message for you to give to His people in regard to the preparation that must be made for the coming of the Lord. In the fourth chapter of Hosea the state of the inhabitants of the land is set forth. “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteneth greatly.” [Zephaniah 1:14.] God has given you a message to bear in our camp-meetings and in other assemblies. Your work is not in the schoolroom, but before the gatherings of God’s people.Hosea 4:2
The Watchman
March 1, 1909
SW March 1, 1909, par. 1
We are living in a time of lawlessness. It is described by the prophets: “Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” “By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” Isaiah 59:14; Hosea 4:2. While but a small part of the evil and corruption of our large cities is ever published, there is enough to make the daily papers a daily comment on these texts.Hosea 4:6
Christ’s Object Lessons
Chapter 23—The Lord’s Vineyard
COL 306.2
The words of God to ancient Israel have a solemn warning to the church and its leaders today. Of Israel the Lord said, “I have written to him the great things of My law; but they were counted as a strange thing.” Hosea 8:12. And to the priests and teachers He declared, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee; ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6.The Review and Herald
February 26, 1914
RH February 26, 1914, par. 1
Had Israel taken heed to the messages of the prophets emphasizing the value of “the great things” of God’s law, they would have been spared the humiliation that followed. It was because they persisted in turning aside from his law that God was compelled to allow their enemies to take them captive. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” was his message to them through Hosea. “Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, ... seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God.” Hosea 4:6. In trial and affliction they were to learn lessons that under circumstances more favorable they had refused to learn.Hosea 4:9-17
The Review and Herald
February 5, 1914
RH February 5, 1914, par. 1
Full of significance are the words of the prophet, “Like people, like priest.” Hosea 4:9. The idolatrous priests were leaders in crime. “As troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent.” Hosea 6:9. “Blood toucheth blood.” Verse 2. God’s message to the murderous priests was: “Hear ye this, O priests, ... for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.” Hosea 5:1, 2. Everywhere violence and crime reigned supreme.RH February 5, 1914, par. 14
The evils that had overspread the land and permeated all classes of society, had become incurable, and upon Israel was pronounced the dread sentence, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it.” Hosea 9:7. “They shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.” Hosea 13:3.Hosea 4:17
Christ’s Object Lessons
Chapter 18—“Go Into the Highways and Hedges”
COL 237.1
Every time you refuse to listen to the message of mercy, you strengthen yourself in unbelief. Every time you fail to open the door of your heart to Christ, you become more and more unwilling to listen to the voice of Him that speaketh. You diminish your chance of responding to the last appeal of mercy. Let it not be written of you, as of ancient Israel, “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. Let not Christ weep over you as He wept over Jerusalem, saying, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Luke 13:34, 35.From Eternity Past
Moses’ Love for Erring Israel
EP 284.3
If the Spirit’s work is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul. The transgressor has cut himself off from God; and sin has no remedy to cure itself. “Let him alone” (Hosea 4:17) is the divine command. Then “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27.From Splendor to Shadow
Hosea’s Gracious Appeals
SS 153.3
The evils that overspread the land had become incurable, and on Israel was pronounced the dread sentence: “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it.” Hosea 4:17; 9:7. The ten tribes of Israel were now to reap the fruitage of the apostasy that had taken form with the setting up of the strange altars at Bethel and at Dan. God’s message was: “All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” Amos 9:10.The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1
Lt 7, 1859
I was shown Sister Lyman,10
Identity: This might be Clarissa Lyman, about 75 years old, living in the home of Sabbatarian pioneers Albert and Hannah Belden in Berlin, Connecticut.
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)
Ms 4, 1860
1LtMs, Ms 4, 1860, par. 3
The battle is between truth and the love of the world. Which will obtain the victory? Will they suffer Jesus to captivate the heart, or will they let Satan control the mind and crowed out the love of truth, so that the angels receive the charge, “They are joined to their idols, let them alone”? [Hosea 4:17.] All must be given up for Jesus. There are idols that must be sacrificed, dross that must be consumed, in order to reflect the image of Jesus. Again and again has the heart been affected, but the world has come in and choked the good seed [so] sown that it has not produced fruit to the glory of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 125, 1886
4LtMs, Lt 125, 1886, par. 11
Christ is making His last appeal to hearts. How importunate His entreaty. How reluctant is He to give you up, to be separated from His love and from His presence forever. Still are heard the steps of Him who is waiting without your door. His voice is still pleading for an entrance. But there is a point beyond which the forbearance of God will not reach. Shall the sign be registered on that doomed doorway, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone”? Hosea 4:17.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 16, 1888
5LtMs, Lt 16, 1888, par. 42
What should we all learn from these lessons but to respect the agencies of God that come to us by His Spirit in reproofs and warnings and not incur the responsibility of rejecting God by refusing to listen and be corrected by His messengers? Shall the words of Christ be spoken, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone”? Hosea 4:17. No tears, no sacrifices, no penitence of theirs could alter or prevent the certain doom. Then let those proud in spirit, lifting up themselves against the servants of God, learn a lesson of humility, learn that the only safe course for them is to bring their will into harmony with God’s will and to submit to accept the messages that God sends them, to believe them and practice them. Should you turn from this agency of God, tell me what means He has left in reserve to reach you.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 30, 1888
5LtMs, Lt 30, 1888, par. 14
One thinks things should be done after his way, another shouts out his orders to do things after his way, and there is not concerted action. Let everyone do his level best to move the load with might and strength. It is the duty of all to do this. If the Lord should treat us as some that claim to be Christians treat one another, we should have a sore, hard time. If He should look upon the selfish, the erring, or crooked ones as they look upon one another and deal with one another, what would become of us? But I am glad the Lord is not man. He bears with our crooked ways, our selfishness, our separation from Him, our defects of character, and seeks to inform us, sending message after message of mercy, encouragement, warning, reproof, and correction, to bring us into a right position before Him that we may have His love, His care, His blessing abiding upon us. But if we choose our own selfish, perverse ways, then the Lord, after every means is exhausted, says, “Let them alone. They are joined to their idols.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 23, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 23, 1890, par. 40
Evil angels ply the soul with one set of temptations after another, to compass our ruin. They suggest evil thoughts, excite worldly desires [and] carnal lusts, that the heart may be estranged from God and no longer respond to the influence of the Holy Spirit, that the word may be spoken in Heaven, “He is joined to his idols: let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] Your heart is becoming less and less susceptible to the influence of truth, for the truth is not brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 27, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 27, 1890, par. 16
We are to keep increasing in wisdom. The more experience we gain in doing the will of the Lord, the better will we understand what the cross of Calvary means to us. Christ says, “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Mark 8:34.] We shall find that as we lift the cross, it lifts us. Fallen human beings can be converted and transformed only by following where Christ leads the way. Justice says, “Let him alone; he is joined to his idols.” [Hosea 4:17.] Christ says, “Let him come to Me, and live. I will pardon his transgressions. Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me.” [Isaiah 55:3; 27:5.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 30a, 1892
7LtMs, Lt 30a, 1892, par. 29
Jesus knocks; will you open the door unto Him? Shall He be compelled to write upon the lintel of the doorway, in the place of His blood that cleanseth from all sin, the sentence that leaves you to the power of the destroying angels? “He is joined to his idols.” Guardian angels, “let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] “How often I would have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not.” [Matthew 23:37.] To all who will open the door, Jesus comes in and takes possession. Will you not say, “Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; come in; wherefore standest thou without?” [Genesis 24:31.] Will you accept the gold—the riches of His love, His grace, His salvation, the robe of Christ’s righteousness? Of such He says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sat down with my Father in his throne.” [Revelation 3:21.]Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]
MR No. 1533—Counsel to an Immoral Administrator in an Adventist Institution
21MR 167.1
What should we all learn from these lessons but to respect the agencies of God that come to us by His Spirit in reproofs and warnings, and not incur the responsibility of rejecting God by refusing to listen and be corrected by His messengers? Shall the words of Christ be spoken, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone”? [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 24, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 24, 1891, par. 83
By beholding Christ we become changed. If the mind dwells upon temporal things constantly, these things become all-absorbing, affecting the character, so that God’s glory is lost sight of and forgotten. The opportunities that are within reach for them to become conversant with heavenly things are overlooked. Spiritual life dies. The Lord says of these workers, “They are joined to their idols. Let them alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 51a, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 51a, 1895, par. 31
By continual resistance the sinner places himself where he knows nothing but resistance. When he disregards the calls of God’s mercy, and continues to sow the seeds of unbelief, the dread mark is placed over his doorway, “Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] Jesus grieves over you, saying, “How often would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing; but ye would not.” [See Matthew 23:37.] No longer grieve the Saviour by your resistance. “Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” [Romans 13:11, 12.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 167, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 167, 1897, par. 26
I poured out words that the Lord gave me. The Lord spoke through me that he knew not what manner of man he was. He was following the leadings of Satan. He was hindering the work of the Lord. I said to him, Money is your god. You worship it, hoard it, and soon the word will be spoken of you “Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] The meeting closed, and as I passed out he shook my hand.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 43, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 43, 1899, par. 7
I present this matter just as the Lord presented it to me when in Europe. A. R. Henry and Harmon Lindsay, and those who have taken a part in that question had not wisdom from God. Every man is accountable to God for the use he makes of his talents. We have no confidence in the principles devised by men who can betray the cause of God and work at cross-purposes with Him. Their unsanctified dispositions will work contrary to God. Their principles have nearly ruined the cause of God, and have brought in a condition of things that the General Conference is laboring hard to undo. If those men who, by their course of action, by working at cross-purposes with God, have done the cause God an injury, will lay down their supposed wise reasoning and listen to the messages of mercy sent them, they will find pardon. But if they continue to hinder the work of God as they have done, the Lord will say, “He is joined to his idols, let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 8, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 8, 1899, par. 14
God designed that the work in this country should be built up, and those standing in responsible places in America should have realized their duty with regard to it. But Satan drew a veil of tradition over their eyes, so that <some> exchanged the sentiments of God for the maxims of men. The work of God <in Battle Creek> was marred, and it still bears unhealed wounds. Men have gone into wrongdoing, but so imperceptibly that they do not realize that their moral perception has been darkened. The same temptations overtake them again and again. Again and again they do things which show not the image and superscription of God. Some will continue to take sides, not with God, but against Him, until the Lord says, “He is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 3, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 3, 1900, par. 13
God is already writing the record of some cases, “Incurable.” “He is joined to his idols, let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] The time is soon coming when the work of God’s judgment will begin at His sanctuary. God Himself is now drawing the separating line. He says, “As for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their own heads.” [Ezekiel 9:10.] What carefulness should this work [be] in every soul who is striving for eternal life. “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine,” Christ says, “no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” [John 15:4.] Keep this in mind. Every living branch is fruitful. What is the character of the fruit borne? It is the most precious fruit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 140, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 140, 1900, par. 2
Thank the Lord that this much is done. The efforts to divert means from the Southern field into other channels has had a blinding influence upon minds as to what is comprised in dealing with equity and justice. Jesus has been knocking, knocking at the door of the heart for some time without obtaining the welcome, “Come in, Thou heavenly Guest.” How long will He have to wait? How long shall truth and righteousness be kept in the outer courts? O, what wonderful forbearance the Lord has exercised toward the children of men. But there is a point beyond which even His forbearance cannot go. Then the footsteps of the Saviour turn away. The word is given to the attendant angel to fix the dread mark on the doomed and fated door way, “Ephraim is joined to his idols: let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 80, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 80, 1901, par. 1
This morning I have a message for the church in Los Angeles. The past camp-meeting will prove to you a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. Let it not be said of any one of you, “Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] To the unfruitful fig tree Christ said, “Let no fruit grow on you henceforth forever.” [Matthew 21:19.] God forbid that these words should be spoken of you.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 156, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 156, 1902, par. 14
Let those who profess to know God and claim to be Christians bear in mind that by their own choice they have placed themselves under obligation to keep God’s law. If they transgress, if they defy the Lord to His face, they will regret this when the Lord sends to them the message, “Give an account of thy stewardship.” [Luke 16:2.] With many, the time has come when the Lord says of them to His angels, “They are joined to their idols. Let them alone.” [See Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 270, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 270, 1902, par. 2
Your brethren have no more confidence in you than you have in them and this will be brought around. For years you have been presented to me as oft under temptations and you have swerved away from truth in order to do works that will exalt J. H. Kellogg. Your works will become more and more objectionable to God until He will say, “He is joined to his idols, let him alone.” [See Hosea 4:17.] You can choose if you will to be wholly the Lord’s. The words were spoken: Isaiah 8:9-22.Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter 14—Destruction of Sodom
PP 165.2
Said the True Witness to the church at Ephesus: “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4, 5. The Saviour watches for a response to His offers of love and forgiveness, with a more tender compassion than that which moves the heart of an earthly parent to forgive a wayward, suffering son. He cries after the wanderer, “Return unto Me, and I will return unto you.” Malachi 3:7. But if the erring one persistently refuses to heed the voice that calls him with pitying, tender love, he will at last be left in darkness. The heart that has long slighted God’s mercy, becomes hardened in sin, and is no longer susceptible to the influence of the grace of God. Fearful will be the doom of that soul of whom the pleading Saviour shall finally declare, he “is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 106, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 106, 1903, par. 59
God’s servants are to proclaim the message for this time just as it is, in its true meaning. And God would have them bear and forbear with those who are working against Him, until He shall say, “Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 52, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 52, 1903, par. 12
There needs to be a decided change on both sides because of the oppression of the enemy. The Lord has given us light that should be recognized in the missionary work that is to be done united with the preaching of the gospel. Years have the warnings been coming to you line upon line, precept upon precept, but you have been breaking away from all restraint. Soon, unless you shall take heed, the Lord will say to you, “He is joined to his idols, let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 35, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 35, 1903, par. 4
Ambitious pride, a desire for self-exaltation, caused Satan’s downfall. Every soul should humble himself, striving for perfect mastery over the desire for self-uplifting. By forgetting his repentance and walking again in the paths of pride and self-worship, a man becomes further and further separated from God. If he would learn to walk humbly with God, his proud spirit would be abased, and he would realize his need of a daily conversion. Unless he receives daily a fresh supply of grace, he will frequently stumble and fall, and finally it will be said of him, He “is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 301, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 301, 1903, par. 5
I am now to lift the note of warning and give the trumpet a certain sound. Wake up, brethren; wake up from your peace and safety attitude and seek the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is now nigh, in every church, with fasting, with confession and true repentance of heart. I am instructed to say that those who, “being often reproved,” hardeneth their hearts, “shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy,” meaning that there will be no chance for repentance, no chance to redeem the past. [Proverbs 29:1.] They are passed beyond the time, and the word is given, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 44, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 44, 1903, par. 38
The worldly minded and unrighteous see in the truth only confusion and a mixed-up jumble of opposites. Christ has no beauty that they should desire Him. We shall be compelled to leave some in the entanglement that for years they have been preparing themselves. There are those that we must allow nothing to hinder us from reaching—the sorrowful and the brokenhearted. We have a message to bear to those who will be benefited. We cannot exhaust our powers upon those who will not hear. Many close their eyes in death who might have been spared had they been relieved of the burdens placed on them by the course of those who refused to come to Christ. I am obliged to say, “Some are joined to their idols; let them alone.” [See Hosea 4:17.] If they continue to feel that they are in no need of change, the change that they must have before they can be saved will never come to them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 135, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 135, 1903, par. 13
The message of Isaiah fifty-eight means much to all who are on the Lord’s side. Truth will gather souls from every place in which it is proclaimed. Unsanctified human influences will try to banish it, but it will make its way, even in the most unfavorable places and in spite of the indifference of many of our own people, who have long been departing from safe paths, and of whom the Lord says, “They are joined to their idols; let them alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Ms 129, 1905
20LtMs, Ms 129, 1905, par. 8
From time to time we read the death notices of the great men of the world. Their time came suddenly, as in a moment. Many, supposed to be in good health, die after a feast or after laying selfish plans for their own exaltation. The word goes forth, “He is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] This means that the Lord no longer guards him from harm. Sudden death comes, and what is his life-work worth? His life has been a failure. The tree falls because the power that has sustained it leaves it to its idolatrous sacrifice.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 360, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 360, 1905, par. 2
Your course has caused great confusion, dissension, and strife because you have made misstatements and misrepresentations and have conjured up untruths. The father of lies had a stock in trade from which he led you to use when occasion required. I am so sorry that you seem determined to keep up this kind of work until the word goes forth, “He is joined to his idols; let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 90, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 90, 1906, par. 13
Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant declare they will. Thus believers will be given evidence that the Word of God, the warnings He has given, are being fulfilled right among us. Some may make light of these messages, misinterpret them, and say untruthful things, which lead other minds astray. Our only hope is in the God of truth. Our Mediator understands every phase of the matter. The more plainly the testing truth is brought before the people, the more bitter will be the hatred manifested by those who have departed from the faith and given their attention to sentiments of Satan’s presentation. Those who stand in defense of wrongs that have been transacted will, unless they repent and are converted, become more and more bewildered, until the word comes, “They are joined to their idols; let them alone.” [See Hosea 4:17.] He who is our Intercessor in the heavenly courts will purify His people. Christ will perfect His saints. He is praying, “Father, confirm Thy tried and tempted ones.”Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 284, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 284, 1906, par. 20
Once more, I beg of you to heed the invitation of Christ and to make thorough work for repentance before the words shall be spoken, “Let him alone.” [Hosea 4:17.] Will you not cast your soul on the mercy of Him who has given His life for your salvation?Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter 35—The Rebellion of Korah
PP 405.1
God works by the manifestation of His Spirit to reprove and convict the sinner; and if the Spirit’s work is finally rejected, there is no more that God can do for the soul. The last resource of divine mercy has been employed. The transgressor has cut himself off from God, and sin has no remedy to cure itself. There is no reserved power by which God can work to convict and convert the sinner. “Let him alone” (Hosea 4:17) is the divine command. Then “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27.That I May Know Him
The Sin God Cannot Forgive, August 25
TMK 243.3
I know the danger of those who refuse to walk in the light as God gives it. They bring upon themselves the terrible crisis of being left to follow their own ways, to do after their own judgment. The conscience becomes less and less impressible. The voice of God seems to become more and more distant, and the wrongdoer is left to his own infatuation. In stubbornness he resists every appeal, despises all counsel and advice, and turns from every provision made for his salvation.... The Spirit of God no longer exerts a restraining power over him, and the sentence is passed, “He is joined to idols; let him alone” (see Hosea 4:17).... This is the process through which the soul passes that rejects the working of the Holy Spirit....To Be Like Jesus
Jesus Lovingly Calls, but Many Wait Too Long to Respond, December 6
BLJ 358.4
The heart that has long slighted God’s mercy becomes hardened in sin and is no longer susceptible to the influence of the grace of God. Fearful will be the doom of that soul of whom the pleading Savior shall finally declare, he “is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17). It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin.Ye Shall Receive Power
The Spirit Enlightens Us, January 24
YRP 32.4
I know the danger of those who refuse to walk in the light as God gives it. They bring upon themselves the terrible crisis of being left to follow their own ways, to do after their own judgment. The conscience becomes less and less impressible. The voice of God seems to become more and more distant, and the wrongdoer is left to his own infatuation. In stubbornness he resists every appeal, despises all counsel and advice, and turns from every provision made for his salvation, and the voice of the messenger of God makes no impression upon his mind. The Spirit of God no longer exerts a restraining power over him, and the sentence is passed, “[He] is joined to idols, let him alone” (Hosea 4:17). Oh, how dark, how sullen, how obstinate, is his independence! It seems that the insensibility of death is upon his heart. This is the process through which the soul passes that rejects the working of the Holy Spirit.—The Review and Herald, June 29, 1897.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Hosea 4:1
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 101, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 101, 1901, par. 39
Selfishness and covetousness have been mingled with all parts of the Lord’s work, defiling it and dishonoring Him. Let this great evil be purged from His cause. “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel; for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land.” “O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” [Hosea 4:1; 6:4-6.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 40, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 40, 1903, par. 31
“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” [Hosea 4:1.]