Friday, October 1, 2010

Hosea 9-11: Sow for Yourselves Righteouesness

Do not rejoice, O Israel;
       do not be jubilant like the other nations.
       For you have been unfaithful to your God;
- Hosea 9:1 NIV

You can almost see the anger and turmoil of God through the prophet's words.
"Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal,
       I hated them there.
       Because of their sinful deeds,
       I will drive them out of my house.
       I will no longer love them;
       all their leaders are rebellious.

 Ephraim is blighted,
       their root is withered,
       they yield no fruit.
       Even if they bear children,
       I will slay their cherished offspring."

 My God will reject them
       because they have not obeyed him;
       they will be wanderers among the nations.
- Hosea 9:15-17 NIV

God had told the Israelites how they were to live as his holy people.  He told them over and over again and yet they refused to obey.
Sow for yourselves righteousness,
       reap the fruit of unfailing love,
       and break up your unplowed ground;
       for it is time to seek the LORD,
       until he comes
       and showers righteousness on you.

But you have planted wickedness,
       you have reaped evil,
       you have eaten the fruit of deception.
       Because you have depended on your own strength
       and on your many warriors, 
- Hosea 10:12-13 NIV

It is not in God's heart to destroy his children.  It breaks his heart. It has always been the plan of God for his people to prosper.  But you reap what you sow and instead of sowing righteousness, they have planted wickedness.

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