Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

This morning we continue in our study through the book of Hosea as we consider Hosea 8:1-14. In the text we see that while the Israelites claim to know God, in reality their actions prove otherwise. They say, “My God, we Israel, know you,” but they have transgressed the covenant, rebelled against God’s law, and spurned the good. Since the Israelites have pursued evil they have become as a useless vessel among the nations. The people of God have forgotten their Creator therefore God will remember their sins and discipline them through exile. In the words of Hosea, "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7a).

Hosea 8 shows us the need for Jesus and the promises of the New Covenant. In the New Covenant God would write his law on the hearts of his people. Through the promise of a new heart and a new spirit, former rebels can know God truly by grace through faith in Jesus. On the cross Jesus took the judgement that all idolaters deserved. Jesus took the ultimate whirlwind for rebellion. May the grace of God motivate us to plant the gospel in our hearts and sow the Word of God. We pray God would give us grace to reap a harvest of righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace.