Cakes Not Turned
Hosea 7:8
The sin of the Northern Kingdom was idolatry. They had completely
given themselves to idol worship, but still claimed to be God’s people.
The book of Hosea is rich with illustrations. Hosea’s real-life experience
with his unfaithful wife.
“Israel is stubborn, like a stubborn calf” (4:16).
“Faithfulness like a morning cloud” (6:4).
“Like a silly dove, without sense” (7:11).
“Like a wild donkey” (8:9).
In Hosea 7:8, the nation is described as “a cake not turned.”
The cake to which Hosea makes reference is a thin cake (like a pancake).
Sometimes it was baked by applying hot coals to the top of the cake, sometimes
by placing the cake on a hot stone.
Not turned – if it was not turned, it would be burnt on one side and raw
dough on the other side. This made the whole cake worthless, fit to be thrown
away.
This illustration was used to show the sad, worthless condition of Israel,
and why God was casting them away.
How can a Christian be a “cake not turned?” How can we be burned on
one side and raw on the other?
I. Love For God / Fellow Man Hosea 6:6
Matt. 22:37-39 – we are to love God and our fellowman. There must be a
balance. Too much of one, to the neglect of the other, will result in a cake not
turned.
Hosea 6:6 – they went through the motions when it came to worship.
They offered sacrifices, but neglected their brethren.
Jesus finds application of Hosea’s teaching in Matthew 9:10-13. Their
failure to grasp this truth led them to condemn the guiltless. They were zealous
for their traditions, and trampled upon the innocent in order to preserve them.
However, love for man can cause some to be cold and raw in their love
for God (Matt. 10:37).
II. Laying Up Treasures On Earth / In Heaven Matt. 6:19-21
The Bible teaches us that we are to work. We are to earn a living to
support our family and to give to those who have need (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 4:28).
At the same time, the Bible admonishes us to labor for the crown that
doesn’t perish.
Both are needed, which means we must strike a balance. Which is more
important? To a Christian, it should be the treasure in heaven.
We have seen Christians who are burnt on the earthly side and raw on the
heavenly side. I have also heard of some who are burnt on the heavenly side and
neglected some responsibilities they had towards their family. A balance is
needed.
This doesn’t mean that a Christian can’t have wealth or good things. It has
to do with his attitude towards those things. If the things of this world are his
treasures, he will neglect his treasure in heaven. If his heart is with his treasure
in heaven, he will make proper use of what he has in this world.
III. Judging Others / Judging Self Matt. 7:1-5
The “cake not turned” illustration is very applicable when it comes to
harsh, hypocritical and hypercritical judgments. They are burnt on one side and
raw on the other.
In this passage, Jesus is not condemning all judgments.
1. He is warning against harsh, hypercritical judgments. Jesus says that we will
be judged with the same standard that we use upon others. If we hold others
to a harsh, unrealistic standard, we will be judged that way. If we are
merciful, mercy will be extended to us in judgment (James 2:13).
2. He is warning against hypocritical judgment. One with a beam in his eye has
no business pointing out a speck in his brother’s eye. His judgment against
his brother is burnt, while the standard he holds himself to is raw.
IV. Outward Show / Inward Heart Matt. 15:8
Some are well done in the outward show of their religion, while their
heart is cold towards God.
The Pharisees were hypocrites. The word hypocrite originally meant
“actor, one playing a part.” The Pharisees were putting on a show. They dressed
and acted religious. In fact, they overdid it (were burnt). But their heart was far
removed from God and His righteous standards.
Matthew 23:25-28 – what they looked like outwardly was a contradiction
to what they were like inwardly. They appeared to be clean and righteous, but
were actually full of extortion, self-indulgence, hypocrisy and lawlessness.
The same thing can happen today. People play church. They get dressed
up, bring their Bible to services, greet everyone with a smile, but their heart is
far removed from God.
No amount of outward display can make up for withholding our heart
from God. God wants the whole heart (Joel 2:12-13; Jeremiah 29:13). When He
has it, the rest of man will follow.
V. Hearing / Doing James 1:21-25
When it comes to Bible Study, some Christians are heavy on examination
and light on application.
We can give our time and attention to learning and understanding the
Scriptures, but we must apply them to our lives.
James says we must be doers of the word, and not hears only. Those who
are hearers only deceive themselves. How? Use it or lose it. Like a person
looking in a mirror and walking away. If we fail to apply what we have learned,
we will forget and fail to pursue it. If we continue in it, we will be blessed in
what we do.
James goes on to emphasize the doing of the word.
Showing our faith by our works (2:18).
Showing our wisdom by good conduct (3:13).
He who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin (4:17).
John 8:31 – we must abide in His word to be His disciples.
If we know the Word of God, but don’t obey it, are we any better than
those who don’t know the Word of God?
Conclusion:
The result of being a cake not turned is that we are worthless.
How can we keep from being cakes not turned?
1. We need to examine ourselves with an honest, Scriptural standard.
2. We need to maintain balance by establishing Scriptural priorities in our lives
(God, others, self; spiritual then physical).
3. We must grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Word of God
(Hosea 4:6).