As children we hone a skill of appearing sad in order to get something we want. The ploy still works as an adult, as I finagle that last piece of blackberry cobbler from my wife by feigning distress. She sees through my ruse and is kind enough to pass the dessert anyway. I could have come clean from the start.

The Lord pushed back on the source of Ephraim’s tears: They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; for grain and wine they gash themselves; they rebel against me.

God punished Israel for deserting him and embracing foreign gods. As things got worse (drought, famine, impending invasion), the people cried out. But even though they shrieked and sobbed and cut themselves, they never turned their hearts back to God. They hoped fake tears would lead to full stomachs.

The prophet Amos wrote that they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. These people hoped for blessings without obedience. They wanted to live life on their own terms and enjoy the the good hand of the Lord. They expected God’s favor regardless of their actions. They cried, didn’t God create us to live our best lives?

Actually, God created us to follow him. Our best lives result from this practice. Crocodile tears fall flat before the one who knows our most private thoughts. One cannot manipulate the Lord. It’s better to come clean from the start.

Hosea 7:14; 8:7

Photo by Bro Takes Photos