Tag: wind and whirlwind
Harvest from sowing wind!
Scripture reading for September 8th: Hosea 7-8
“Woe to them, because they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak lies against Me. They do not cry to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds. They gather together for grain and new wine but turn away from Me.” Hosea 7:13-14
“They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind.” Hosea 8:7
God so longed to redeem His people but they continually rebelled against Him. What form did the rebellion take? There were thieves breaking into houses and bandits robbing on the streets. The land was full of adulterers and the princes were drunk on wine. They were speaking evil of their rulers and then when they fell, they did not call on the Lord. They were arrogant and unresponsive as they went about their business of sinning. A consequence of a nation turning from God is an increase in violence, lawbreaking, and trouble with those ruling. Is there anything new under the sun?
On top of all the usual sins, they chose their leaders without the consent of the Lord or His approval. They made idols of silver and gold. They cried out to the Lord as if they wanted to know Him, but their hearts were far from Him! Hosea stated that Ephraim had built many altars for sin offerings but they became altars for sinning! (Hosea 8:11) God wrote them His law, but it was rejected and foreign to them by choice. God had no choice but to send fire of judgment on their cities. (Hosea 8:14)
As we read these sad words about religion without heart or loving obedience, we think about the church in America. Many who name the name of Christ are involved in adultery with those who are not their married partners. They watch on television and movies every sort of perversion and go to church on Sunday without ever asking God for mercy. They choose their rulers without ever consulting God or His holy word to find out if He would approve of their moral conduct and political decisions. With their lips they acknowledge God, but their hearts are far from Him! Some claim to love God and yet get drunk or high on drugs regularly. Others lie and cheat and do violence with their gossip, yet claim a relationship with God. Sounds like the time Hosea was describing, but it is today as well!
God, however, loves us. Just as Hosea was told to take back the adulterous wife, God will take us back if we repent and turn to Him with all our heart. We must not just cry on our beds, but honestly take responsibility for what we have done and turn to Him for mercy. He will abundantly pardon! If we want to avoid the whirlwind, we must stop sowing the wind!