Hosea 8 - 14

Fallow Ground

"Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground" 10:12 (KJV).

From Hosea chapter 4 to the end of the book, the Lord speaks through the prophet in exhortation to Israel and Judah. He warns them against the coming judgment and cautions them that their lifestyle of idolatry and rebellion against Him will be tragic. Yet, as we read in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the people did not listen and the terrible judgment of Jehovah fell on the nation.

The Lord continuously had a witness in Israel against evil in the form of a succession of prophets.  Hosea, at great personal sacrifice as we read yesterday, was no exception.  He remained true to the Lord and his Word.  The Lord tells the people of Israel to "sow in righteousness" and stop their sinning.  Only by doing this will they "reap in mercy."  Their sacrifices no longer were sincere.  The Lord no longer accepted their half-hearted worship.

Hosea instructs the people to "break up your fallow ground."  Fallow ground is good ground, but it is ground that has not been used.  It has become hard and crusted over.  It has remained dormant, weeds have invaded, dirt clods have formed and it is not in the correct condition to received good seed.  Thus Hosea tells them to break in up.  Put in the plow and break it up. Pull out the weeds and break up the clods.

Of course, we as Christians must do the same thing. We must break up any fallow ground and let the Word of God take root in our lives.  We must sow in righteousness so that we can reap the Lord's wonderful mercies.  Lord help us to break up our fallow ground.