Hosea 9-11
Hosea’s prophecy is relentless. The punishments of unfaithful Israel will be overwhelming: economic disaster (9:2), exile (9:3, 6), destruction, desolation (9:6), barrenness (9:11-12), blight, fruitlessness (9:16), and rejection (9:17).
In Hosea 10, we hear more of Israel’s idolatry: the calf idols we talked about yesterday (10:5) and the high places, where Baal was worshipped (10:8).
The only hope in these chapters is addressed to all God’s people, including those in Judah. Listen to these powerful and timeless words: “Sow for yourselves righteousness, and reap the fruit of unfailing love. Break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers righteousness on you.” (10:12)
“Breaking up unplowed ground” is a picture of doing the things that will soften our hard hearts. When we allow the Lord to break our hearts over our sins (or our nation’s sins), we are opening a path for God’s grace and goodness to reach us. Could Hosea have been speaking to America or any other nation in the world today?
In chapter 11, God speaks in a way that seems designed to break people’s hearts. Read it, and feel the love and disappointment of God for his wayward people!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
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