Vanity

"Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after vanity." Hosea 5.11 (NRSV)

All humans have at least a minimum of vanity. This is common to human nature. But what is not acceptable to the Lord is for one to be lead by vanity thoughts. The thoughts of the faithful must be guided by the thoughts of God. Ephraim preferred to walk in the vanity of his heart, which displeased the Lord and brought serious consequences for himself.