Hosea 10:11–13 ‘Sow righteousness… reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unploughed ground…’ (v.12)
The prophet Hosea was a living metaphor. The Lord called him to marry an adulterous woman, Gomer, who eventually became a sex worker.
Hosea was grieved by her betrayals but took her back into his home, buying her out of slavery. He longed for her wholehearted devotion, just as the Lord longed for the pure worship of His people, who had turned to the false gods of Baal.
God calls His people back to Himself through Hosea’s words, with verse 12 especially rich in meaning. There we see that God desires Israel’s love and commitment, and that they’d break their idolatrous practices.
He asks them to sow seeds of righteousness, which we can interpret as living right with God and with one’s neighbours.
Then He will enable them to reap the fruit of unfailing love. That is, then they will find life everlasting through His mercy and loving kindness.
But they must break up their unploughed ground; they must cleanse their hearts from sin and corruption. When they have contrite hearts, the soil of their souls will be ready to receive the seeds that the Lord desires to plant.
And He will shower them with His grace and rain on them righteousness. As we ponder these words from thousands of years ago, think about how God may want to enlarge your harvest of righteousness. Is there hardened ground to break up? What seeds is He giving you to sow?
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, You say: “I will betroth you to me for ever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion” (Hos. 2:19). Thank You. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Read through the passage prayerfully several times, pausing to see if God highlights a word or phrase for you to ponder and press into.
Scripture To Consider:
Prov. 11:18–20; Mal. 3:8–12; Jas 3:13–18; 2 Cor. 9:6–11
