Hosea 9-10 – Sowing & Reaping

Hosea 9-10 – Sowing & Reaping

Introduction:

After harvest every year, there was a celebration in land of Israel. 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. In these chapters, Hosea says Israel’s rejection of God & rebellion against His law are nothing new. Israel was about to reap 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. 9:7b – Hosea’s message was trivialized & discounted.

B. Do we always want to hear of need to serve God w/our best & not just offer up minimal service?

1. The 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 in love?

4. Rom. 13:11-14 – Wake up! Many lulling their 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. 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.

3. With prosperity comes responsibility!

4. As individuals; as a congregation. 9:6-7 – remember this principle.

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. Israel had been chosen by God for a purpose.

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! A lifestyle of serving God!

C. Lifestyle – everything in our life must revolve around God & His service.

1. Reflected in the decisions we make. Col. 3:1-2

a) Career; marriage; friends; application of His will to our life.

D. A lifestyle living for God will be radically different from the person outside of Christ.

1. 1 Peter 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. Give yourself to Jesus!



Hosea 9-10 – Sowing & Reaping Introduction: After harvest every year, there was a celebration in land of Israel. 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. In these chapters, Hosea says Israel’s rejection of God & rebellion against His law are nothing new. Israel was about to reap 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. 9:7b – Hosea’s message was trivialized & discounted. B. Do we always want to hear of need to serve God w/our best & not just offer up minimal service? 1. The 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 in love? 4. Rom. 13:11-14 – Wake up! Many lulling their 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. *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. 3. With prosperity comes responsibility! 4. As individuals; as a congregation. 9:6-7 – remember this principle. 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. Israel had been chosen by God for a purpose. 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! A lifestyle of serving God! C. Lifestyle – everything in our life must revolve around God & His service. 1. Reflected in the decisions we make. Col. 3:1-2 a) Career; marriage; friends; application of His will to our life. D. A lifestyle living for God will be radically different from the person outside of Christ. 1. 1 Peter 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. Give yourself to Jesus!