◄ Hosea 10:12 ►
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.
Study Bible
Sow for yourselves righteousness
The phrase "Sow for yourselves righteousness" calls the believer to actively engage in righteous living. The Hebrew word for "sow" is "zara," which implies planting with the expectation of a future harvest. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, sowing was a critical activity that required faith in the unseen. Righteousness, or "tsedaqah" in Hebrew, refers to living in a way that is just and aligned with God's standards. This phrase encourages believers to invest in actions and behaviors that reflect God's character, trusting that such a life will yield spiritual fruit.

and reap the fruit of loving devotion
The concept of reaping "the fruit of loving devotion" suggests a harvest of blessings that come from a life dedicated to God. The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "chesed," which encompasses steadfast love, mercy, and kindness. This term is often used to describe God's covenantal love for His people. The imagery of reaping indicates that the actions of righteousness will result in experiencing God's faithful love and mercy. It is a reminder that God's blessings are often the result of living in accordance with His will.

Break up your unplowed ground
"Break up your unplowed ground" is a metaphorical call to prepare one's heart for spiritual renewal. The Hebrew term "nir" refers to fallow or untilled ground, which requires breaking and turning over to become productive. Spiritually, this represents the need for repentance and the removal of obstacles that hinder spiritual growth. Just as a farmer must prepare the soil to receive seed, believers are called to examine their hearts, remove sin, and be open to God's transformative work.

for it is time to seek the LORD
The urgency in "for it is time to seek the LORD" emphasizes the immediacy of turning to God. The Hebrew word "darash" means to seek or inquire, suggesting an active pursuit of God's presence and will. This phrase serves as a wake-up call, urging believers not to delay in seeking a deeper relationship with God. Historically, the prophets often called Israel to repentance and renewal, highlighting the importance of seeking God earnestly and without procrastination.

until He comes and showers righteousness on you
The promise "until He comes and showers righteousness on you" offers hope and assurance of God's response to sincere seeking. The imagery of God "showering" righteousness suggests an abundant and generous outpouring of His blessings. The Hebrew word "yarah" means to throw or cast, often used in the context of rain. This conveys the idea that God will respond to the faithful pursuit of righteousness by bestowing His grace and favor, much like rain that nourishes the earth. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness to those who earnestly seek Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel to repentance and warning of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness to God.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as an unfaithful spouse, symbolizing the nation's idolatry and spiritual adultery against God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people characterized by righteousness and loving devotion.

4. Agricultural Imagery
The use of farming terms like "sow," "reap," and "unplowed ground" to illustrate spiritual truths about repentance and renewal.

5. Righteousness and Loving Devotion
Key themes in Hosea, representing the ethical and relational aspects of Israel's covenant obligations to God.
Teaching Points
Sow Righteousness
Believers are called to actively pursue righteousness in their lives, aligning their actions with God's standards.

Reap Loving Devotion
A life sown in righteousness will yield a harvest of loving devotion, deepening one's relationship with God.

Break Up Unplowed Ground
Examine and prepare your heart, removing any hardness or sin that hinders spiritual growth and receptivity to God's word.

Seek the LORD
Prioritize seeking God earnestly and consistently, trusting that He will respond with His righteousness and blessings.

Divine Timing
Understand that God's timing is perfect; be patient and faithful as you await His intervention and blessings.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to "sow for yourselves righteousness" in your daily life, and how can you practically implement this in your current circumstances?

2. How can the metaphor of breaking up unplowed ground be applied to areas of your life that need spiritual renewal or repentance?

3. In what ways does the promise of reaping "the fruit of loving devotion" encourage you to pursue a deeper relationship with God?

4. How does the call to "seek the LORD" in Hosea 10:12 relate to Jesus' teaching in the Parable of the Sower, and what steps can you take to ensure your heart is good soil?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's righteousness "like rain" in your life. How can this past experience encourage you to trust in God's timing and provision today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 4:3
This verse also uses the metaphor of breaking up fallow ground, emphasizing the need for repentance and preparation to receive God's word.

Matthew 13:3-9
Jesus' Parable of the Sower highlights the importance of the condition of one's heart in receiving and responding to God's word.

Galatians 6:7-9
Paul speaks of sowing and reaping, encouraging believers to sow to the Spirit to reap eternal life, paralleling the call to sow righteousness in Hosea.

James 5:7-8
James encourages believers to be patient for the Lord's coming, using the metaphor of a farmer waiting for rain, similar to the imagery in Hosea.
Sermons
Prepare for the Time of Divine FavorJ.R. Thomson Hosea 10:12
Seeking and SeekersW. Veenschoten.Hosea 10:12
Seeking the Lard an Immediate DutyHelps for the PulpitHosea 10:12
Seeking the Lord an Immediate DutyE. D. Solomon.Hosea 10:12
Sowing and ReapingF. E. Paget, M. A.Hosea 10:12
Sowing and ReapingJ. Jackson Goadby.Hosea 10:12
Sowing RighteousnessHosea 10:12
Spiritual HusbandryT. J. Judkin, M. A.Hosea 10:12
Spiritual HusbandrySketches of Four Hundred SermonsHosea 10:12
Spiritual HusbandryE. Blencowe, M. A.Hosea 10:12
Spiritual HusbandryA. Rowland Hosea 10:12
The Divine Voice to a Worthless PeopleHomilistHosea 10:12
The Divine Voice to a Worthless PeopleD. Thomas Hosea 10:12
The Duty of Seeking GodT. Hannam.Hosea 10:12
The Fallow GroundT. Binney.Hosea 10:12
The Fallow Ground StateR. K. Bailie, M. A.Hosea 10:12
The Proportion of MercyJoseph Parker, D. D.Hosea 10:12
The Reward of Well-DoingM. Biggs, M. A.Hosea 10:12
True SeekingE. B. Pusey, D. D.Hosea 10:12
What Repentance of National Sins Doth God RequireDaniel Williams, D. D.Hosea 10:12
What Sowing InvolvesA. Maclaren, D. D.Hosea 10:12
National Prosperity and CalamityC. Jerdan Hosea 10:9-15
Moral HusbandryJ. Orr Hosea 10:12-15
People
Hosea, Jacob, Jareb, Shalman
Places
Assyria, Aven, Beth-arbel, Beth-aven, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal, Samaria
Topics
Break, Fallow, Fruit, Ground, Kindness, Love, Rains, Reap, Righteousness, Seek, Showers, Sow, Unfailing, Unplowed, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 10:12

     1125   God, righteousness
     4506   seed
     4966   present, the
     7233   Israel, northern kingdom
     8158   righteousness, of believers

Hosea 10:11-12

     4498   ploughing

Hosea 10:12-13

     4510   sowing and reaping
     8160   seeking God

Library
'Fruit which is Death'
'Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. 3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Divided Heart
I intend, however, to take the text this morning specially with reference to our individual condition. We shall look at the separate individual heart of each man. If divisions in the great main body--if separation among the distinct classes of that body should each promote disasters, how much more disastrous must be a division in that better kingdom--the heart of man. If there be civil tumult in the town of Mansoul, even when no enemy attacks its walls, it will be in a sufficiently dangerous position. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

How to Promote a Revival.
Text.--Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.--Hosea x. 12. THE Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing in the Scriptures to refer for illustrations to their occupation, and to the scenes with which farmers and shepherds are familiar. The prophet Hosea addresses them as a nation of backsliders, and reproves them for their idolatry, and threatens them with the judgments of God. I have showed you in my first …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of Particular Introduction is to Consider the Books of the Bible Separately...
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. The province of Particular Introduction is to consider the books of the Bible separately, in respect to their authorship, date, contents, and the place which each of them holds in the system of divine truth. Here it is above all things important that we begin with the idea of the unity of divine revelation--that all the parts of the Bible constitute a gloriously perfect whole, of which God and not man is the author. No amount of study devoted …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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