Hosea
9-10 – Sowing & Reaping
Introduction:
After harvest every year, there was a
celebration in land of Israel. People commanded to come together for
worship/praise. It was a time of singing, feasting, and expression of gratitude
for the grain & produce harvested. Some speculate that it was in the midst
of one of these celebrations that Hosea marched in uninvited & preached the
contents of Hosea 9-10. 9:9 – Israel had become a corrupted people. 9:10
– Israel had not always been this way. 10:12-15
– Israel has reaped what they sowed. There are powerful lessons for us
here.
I. 9:7 – We must not reject God’s revealed truth &
reject God’s messenger.
A.
We can so easily see Israel’s pattern & gradual descent away
from God.
B.
9:7b – Hosea’s message was trivialized & discounted.
C.
We must serve God w/our best & not just offer up minimal
service.
1.
need to properly deal w/anger? Forgive others who hurt us?
2.
instructions on putting away worldliness? Selfishness?
3.
Do we resent those who approach us out of love w/corrective
discipline?
4.
Rom. 13:11-14 – Many of us are lulling our spiritual lives
to sleep.
II. 10:1-2 – Physical Blessing is not always a sign of
God’s approval.
A.
Prosperity led to proliferation of false religion rather than true
worship.
B.
God’s complaint was the false manner that Israel used its
prosperity.
1.
what people do with their prosperity is indicative of the direction
of their heart
C.
We’ve been immensely blessed. Financially. Education, Etc.
1.
How are we using the resources God has provided?
2.
2 Cor. 8-9 – Corinth delayed in sending assistance to saints
in Jerusalem.
D.
With prosperity comes responsibility!
III. 10:11-13
– We must not reject a lifestyle of serving God.
A.
10:11 – Israel compared to a young heifer cherished by the
farmer & lovingly trained to thresh out the grain.
1.
such animals were allowed to eat at will from threshing floor.
Well fed, sleek, fat. Fair neck speaks of strength as well as beauty.
2.
Israel had been chosen by God for a purpose.
3.
10:11 – basically God is saying instead of having it fat
& easy on the threshing floor – they would now be harnessed to the
plow.
B.
Consider 10:12 – in light of what God expects of us!
1.
sow w/a view to righteousness. reap loving kindness
2.
seek God/know Him/LIVE for Him!
C.
Lifestyle – everything in our life must revolve around God
& His service.
1.
Reflected in the decisions we make. Made in view of God’s will.
D.
A lifestyle living for God will be radically different from the
person outside of Christ.
1.
1 Peter 4:1-5; 4:6 – live in the spirit according to the
will of God.
2.
This lifestyle described in 4:7-11
E.
Blending = rejection! It is an unwillingness to obediently serve God!
1.
Gal. 6:7-8 – we reap what we sow.
2.
Hos. 10:15 – if we refuse to be what He has called us
– it is evil rebellion!
Conclusion:
A.
We’ve been called be servants – like Jesus.
B.
Our spiritual lives are going to be full of struggle, strain, and
stress until we accept our calling to servanthood!
C.
Give yourself to Jesus!