Readings for today: Hosea 10-14
“You reap what you sow.” It’s a phrase I am sure we all have heard. It’s also a reality we’ve all probably experienced. It comes from the Bible and it reflects the truth that God has made us all moral agents. Endowed with free will. Empowered to make choices in life. Yes, some of our choices are forced upon us by circumstances beyond our control. Some of our choices are determined for us by forces much bigger and larger than us. Societal systems and cultural norms and economic factors all play a part in influencing the choices we make. However, at bottom, we still make choices. And those choices result in consequences. Positive or negative. When we make wise and righteous choices, we often experience blessing. When we make foolish and sinful choices, we often experience a curse. These dynamics don’t always hold true of course. I have seen bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. We all have. But by and large, the truth is we do reap what we sow. We get a return on how and what we invest ourselves in.
This was God’s challenge to Israel. Hosea preached during a time of great wealth, prosperity, and military success in the northern kingdom of Israel. Life under Jeroboam II was a golden age on many levels. Jeroboam took advantage of the relative weakness of his more powerful neighbors to expand Israel’s borders and establish trade and his kingdom flourished. But there was something rotten at the core. “You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your chariots; you have relied on your many warriors.” (Hosea 10:13 NET) What was Jeroboam’s besetting sin? Self-reliance. He trusted in his own strength rather than God. He relied on his military strength to deliver him rather than God’s faithfulness. Additionally, as we read in the history of the Kings and Chronicles, he refused to remove the idols set up by his namesake and predecessor in Dan and Bethel. For all these things and more, the nation of Israel would be punished. All their accumulated wealth and success simply made them a bigger target for their enemies.
What does God want? Hosea is clear. “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap unfailing love. Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves, for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers deliverance on you.” (Hosea 10:12 NET) The most important thing to God is not our happiness but our holiness. The most important thing to God is not our comfort but our consecration. The most important thing to God is not our success but our sanctification. God wants us to pursue Him. To seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He wants the blessings of our lives to flow from our relationship with Him rather than be the product of the work of our hands. He knows the temporary glory we can achieve on our own is simply not worth comparing to the eternal glory He desires for us. Thankfully, His great love will never let us go. “How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart! All my tender compassions are aroused! I cannot carry out my fierce anger! I cannot totally destroy Ephraim! Because I am God, and not man, the Holy One among you, I will not come in wrath!” (Hosea 11:8-9 NET) God’s judgment lasts for a moment but His lovingkindness is for a lifetime. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy!
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 1-4