Sow in Righteousness

Hosea 10 shows how blessing can be misused. Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. As his land prospered, they adorned their sacred stones. The richer they became, the more they worshiped idols. Hosea's diagnosis: Their heart is divided.

Their divided heart showed in broken words: They make promises, swearing falsely in making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field. Their calf idol would be carried to Assyria for a present to a great king. Samaria and her king float away like a twig on the water. The things they trusted could not protect them.

Into this God speaks a farmer's call: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you. Fallow ground is hard, unplowed soil. A heart must be broken open to receive God's Word. But Israel had plowed wickedness and reaped iniquity, for they trusted in their way. In the New Testament, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).