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Hosea was a shew herd and hewer of wood. There is nothing conventional in his style. His similes are quaint and abrupt. They show that their author was possessed of a quiet vein of broad humour. "Ephraim is a cake not turned" may be said of most men in their relation —

I. TO THE SOCIAL CIRCLE. Too often we have —

1. Courtesy minus friendship.

2. Appearance of wealth minus money.

3. Claims to "family" and learning.The amount of goods in the shop window is generally in inverse ratio to the amount in stock. This comparison may be applied —

II. TO MEN IN THEIR RELATION TO COMMERCE. Too often we have —

1. Better goods than "any other house."

2. Tradesmen "retiring from business." The words "from this place" being purposely omitted.

3. Sales at a-tremendous sacrifice.There is ever a-connection between demand and supply. Half-baked customers create Ephraimitish tradesmen. This comparison may be applied —

III. TO MEN IN THEIR RELATION TO RELIGION. Too often we have —

1. Profession without practice.

2. Letter without spirit.Profession is valueless without practice. So also is letter without spirit. So far as we have either without the other, we are as "cakes not turned." Christ ruling in our hearts adjusts all human relations.

(J. S. Swan.)

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KJV: Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

WEB: Ephraim, he mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.