Hosea 10:12
Read Hosea 10:12
Helpful Background Information:
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Paul uses the agricultural metaphor of “sowing and reaping” to illustrate that generous giving, rooted in faith, leads to a spiritual harvest. Paul highlights two key ways in which we will reap. First, God provides for our needs so we can continue to give generously (v. 8), not to enrich ourselves, but to bless and love others. Seeking wealth through giving is not biblical generosity; it is greed. Secondly, giving produces thankfulness—we thank God for what we’ve received, and others thank Him for blessings passed through us. If we love God, then we will love him with our wealth, which demands that we love our neighbors with our wealth by being generous.
However, this concept of “sowing and reaping” is not just a New Testament metaphor; Paul borrows this agricultural imagery from the Old Testament. “Sowing and reaping” is found in both Wisdom literature (Proverbs 11:18, 22:8) and the Prophets. The principle is that when we do something, we will always face the consequences of that action; this is true even in our walk with the Lord (Galatians 6:7). God, in his sovereign wisdom, designed the world in this way.
In our text for today, we see a prime Old Testament example of “sowing and reaping”. The Book of Hosea was written by the prophet of the same name, likely around 755-752 BC. Hosea was from the Northern Kingdom of Israel and primarily ministered there, although both Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah are addressed. This would make Hosea a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, who were performing ministry at the same time in Judah.
The key theme of Hosea is God’s faithful love for his covenant people. Although condemnation of sin is very much present, God is declaring his love for his people and is faithfully pursuing them despite their sinfulness. And this is what we find in Hosea 10. The Lord is making clear that because of their sin, he would send Israel into exile in Assyria and destroy their false worship. Yet, in his mercy, the Lord still allows a chance of repentance. God promises that if Israel begins to sow faithful acts of love towards God and their fellow man, they will reap the benefits of God’s love despite how disobedient they’ve been up to that point.
→ Remember, God’s love is not transactional! You cannot earn more of God’s love, for God’s love is given by grace, and his love is perfectly given! The Lord was not saying, “Do this and I will love you.” Remember the context, God is declaring his love to a sinful people who have abandoned him. He is making clear that if they return to him, they will experience the love already placed on them.
Reflection Questions:
How have you experienced the principle of sowing and reaping in your walk with God? Can you think of a time when faithful obedience led to spiritual flourishing or when sowing sin led to spiritual dryness?
If you can think of a time when disobedience led to dryness, meditate on Hebrews 12:7-12. When believing Christians feel remorse or dryness because of our sin, that is God’s grace at work. God will not let us get away with our sin. Rather, God, in his fatherly love, uses those feelings as a form of discipline to make us rely more on him and return us to the path of life. Those feelings may not be enjoyable, but they will produce the fruit of righteousness.
In what ways do you see sowing generosity as an act of worship and love toward God, and thus toward others? Do you see examples of people thanking God because of your generosity? If you think you haven’t been generous, what are some ways (financial or otherwise) that you could be generous?
The Lord says at the end of verse 12 that “it is time to seek the Lord.” Are you quick to turn to the Lord in repentance and seek his face after you sin? How does this verse encourage you in your repentance?