God likened Israel to a trained young ox, free to tread the corn and feast upon it. However, her rebellion had warranted a yoke, and Assyria became the instrument of this yoke. This shift from freedom to bondage would affect Israel and Judah, making the times ahead challenging.
To avert the impending judgment, God’s people were not just asked but required to diligently work at breaking up the neglected, hardened ground. This task was not for the faint-hearted but a crucial step towards a hopeful future. The right seed, when sown, could bring about a transformation.
Israel is urged to sow
righteousness. When nurtured and grown, this seed will bear the fruit of
kindness. Therefore, Hosea implored the people to seize the opportunity to seek
the Lord. They should actively pursue God’s righteousness until it breaks forth
and is experienced in their lives, transforming their actions.
All along, Israel had been
sowing evil and reaping what it had sown. Social injustices were prevalent as
they partake in the fruit of their deceits. They deluded themselves, relied on
their ingenuity, and leaned on foreign powers to deliver them. Inadvertently,
those foreign forces would destroy them.
Our decisions and actions
have consequences. Israel’s rebellion led them to be yoked by Assyria, and
their neglect of righteousness led to sowing evil and reaping the negative
consequences. From their experience, we learn that the choices we make matter.
We must make up our minds and set the time to seek God. We must sow
righteousness to reap kindness, leading to an excellent future in Him.
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