Hosea 8 - Reaping What We Sow

LINK: Hosea 8

BACKGROUND

This chapter includes specific illustrations of the nation's rebellion and announces God's impending judgment. The trumpet is a signal of impending battle. Since Israel has broken its covenant with God, this covenant curse will be fulfilled:

The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar,

 from the end of the earth, 
as the eagle swoops down, 

a nation whose language 
you shall not understand.

(Deuteronomy 28:49)

Also, note that in Hosea 8:14, Judah is also included in the indictment. They would all eventually "return to Egypt" (slavery) through the Assyrian (Israel) and Babylonian (Judah) Captivities.

The "sowing and reaping" principle is illustrated in 8:7:

For they sow the wind

And they reap the whirlwind.

(Hosea 8:7)

The Free Dictionary says this means, "Foolish or thoughtless actions will have larger, more dire consequences than you may anticipate, which you will ultimately have to confront or deal with."

Israel sowed its seeds in sin and alliance with ungodly nations that gave them false security and would yield a crop of destruction.

This principle is also found in the New Testament:

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 
(2 Corinthians 9:6) 

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

REFLECTION

Sow a thought, reap an action

Sow an action, reap a habit

Sow a habit, reap a character

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

APPLICATION

Have you been sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit lately? Spending time with God and listening to His voice is the best way for us to sow to the Spirit!

PRAYER

Lord, help us to be wise sowers. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.