THANKS, friends, who have shared (via e-mail) on your own study of HOSEA 10:12. If you’ve been receiving e-mail from me, you have received the following… The discovery of SUBSTANCE and CONVICTION of this text!
I shared with you about the discovery of that great web site Net Bible for 8 different translations of HOSEA 10:12. Finally, a listing from cross-references of this text and some random Hebrew definitions of some of the POWER WORDS like “SOW” and “REAP”, for example. If you haven’t received any of these, write me at tristief@juno.,com or tristief@gmail.com and I will get them to you. It will really help your study!
I. “SOW WITH A VIEW TO RIGHTEOUSNESS” The Hebrew “sow” is “zara”-Lev.26:33, Jer. 31:10. The Hebrew for “righteousness “tseh-dek”” which can mean ethical conduct, integrity, upright, and true. Another view is”conforming to a standard” .
HOW CAN WE SOW?
CONSIDER. I love the Proverb “Consider the field and receive instruction”. If I want to grow spiritually, what is this decision to sow “seeds with a view to righteousness” going to cost me? I need to realize the discipline of a well-watered garden (Is. 58) requires thought, preparation and work.
DIG. The value of dirt can be aesthetic. There is immense satisfaction to look at a well-dug garden with neatly planted rows. This is what the farmer or gardener wants. But, how messy must my hands get to grow in this way? It’s hard to stay bent over for hours digging out rocks and vines. My mind must be fixed on the RESULT of this task and see the pain as a worthy price to be paid!
II. “REAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH KINDNESS” A Hebrew rendition of “kalah” (Strong’s 3615) meaning “to finish” is comparable. Compare the Greek word “therizo”-“to gather in harvest” (Strong’s 2325) with this. Remember “God’s “kindness”? Translate it as “hesed”-the loyal love of GOD has for us can also be the unconditional seed we share with those around us!
HOW CAN WE REAP?
REJOICE…As we reap, we gather with JOY. YAHWEH TSIDKENU-“GOD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”- has seen fit to bless us with growth. My motivation is that His righteousness has brought about my righteousness!
GATHER...We have work to do! In the midst of reaping, we can become tired or LET THIS TOIL BUILD our endurance. If you know Christ, He fills you with His Spirit and you will “not grow weary of well-doing.” For the farmer or gardener, to LOOK AND SEE GROWTH is the reward!
III. “BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND” The Hebrew is “niyr” Strong’s 5124. Could there be any doubt what God is telling Israel (here called Ephraim, the Northern Kingdom)? Remember from our last blog, they are living in open rebellion of idol worship and God is trying to draw them back to his loyal love!
HOW DO WE BREAK UP OUR FALLOW GROUND?
My friend, Holly, defines “breaking up fallow ground” as “to plow, harrow, and break up without seeding for the purpose of destroying weeds and insects“. I also like Holly’s definition of “fallow” as “undeveloped but useful“! Ouch…that describes me pretty well.
***Have you ever felt that way? “OH LORD, you can’t use me! I’m involved in too much sin! ” Peter said the same thing to Jesus ,”Go away from me LORD, for I am a sinful man.” What was the Savior’s response? “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
The farmer or gardener has to make decisions. Do I wait on this ground and let it settle or do I need to dig out impurities? How do we wait? Actively or passively? My friend, Jeanne, calls this ” passive, yet active (aggressive?) waiting to know when the time is right.” HERE’S YOUR BOTTOM LINE: DO I NEED TO BURROW DEEP IN THE THINGS GOD IS ALREADY TEACHING ME OR REMOVE THINGS THAT HINDER MY GROWTH IN JESUS? MY ANSWER IS “YES.”
IV. “For it is time to SEEK the LORD until HE comes and rains RIGHTEOUSNESS on you.”
HOW DO WE SEEK?
PURSUE AND TAKE ACTION! What do you want your HARVEST to look like next year? BOUNTIFUL -brimming with new fruit and fresh joy OR dodging the SAME rocks (sin?) as obstacles and trying to untangle the vines around your legs? (Heb. 12) Our goal is to grow…that’s what we were made for.
God is very clear that “if we draw near to Him , He WILL draw near to us”? (Jas. 4). If we spend solid time in His Word-asking Him for growth-He will give it in His timing. A CONFESSIONAL HEART AND A CONTRITE SPIRIT ARE HIS DELIGHT.
Don’t you love that last phrase “until HE comes and rains righteousness on you”? What a beautiful circle to me…the verse starts that way with US activating our faith and ends with HIM giving it!!
He saturates our spirits. His gifts have become ours. Let us sow in faith, reap in joy, break up the fallow ground of mediocrity, and seek Him while He may be found!
BLESSINGS as YOU enjoy the harvest of your faith!
