Hosea 10:12
Break up your fallow ground,for it is the time to seek the Lord. – Hosea 10:12b
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In this Advent season, we prepare for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of His birth and His second coming, by preparing our hearts and attitudes. This urgent call to readiness was Hosea’s warning to a people whose hearts were spiritually corrupt and who were about to face judgment. It speaks powerfully to us today as well as we await our Lord.
In Hosea’s time, Israel had grown hard-hearted and had strayed from the LORD. They relied on their own strength, military alliances and wealth, and they also engaged in idolatry and social injustice. The “fallow ground” that Isaiah talks about represented their hearts that were hardened and choked by the weeds of sin and false worship.
The prophet calls on the people to make an immediate, urgent change in their lives. He urged them to “sow righteousness” and to “reap the fruit of steadfast love”. They were to change their ways and live out covenant-faithful obedience, demonstrating righteousness and loyalty to their God. Their time was short, and if they genuinely repented, God promised to respond with blessings and restoration, just like the crucial showers of rain that were needed for a harvest.
What about us? Advent calls us to reflect upon our own lives and follow this same command. If our hearts have been hardened or cold, if we are relying on our own strength or distracted by the “weeds” of sin, it is time to break up the fallow ground. We must soften and prepare it so that good seeds of faith, hope, and love can be planted. This preparation requires active repentance, living out justice, kindness and devotion to God as we wait for the fulfilment of His promise.
Reflection:
What areas of your heart have become hardened or neglected this year? Is there unforgiveness, pride, habitual sin, or spiritual apathy taking root? Let us seek the LORD today through honest confession and repentance, so that we may be ready to receive the “showers of righteousness”, His grace and renewal, with the coming of our LORD.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, We confess that we have allowed our hearts to become hardened when we placed our trust and priorities in things other than You. Help us to turn back to You in humble repentance. Soften our hearts that we may be ready to receive You. Thank You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Click to Read
In this Advent season, we prepare for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of His birth and His second coming, by preparing our hearts and attitudes. This urgent call to readiness was Hosea’s warning to a people whose hearts were spiritually corrupt and who were about to face judgment. It speaks powerfully to us today as well as we await our Lord.
In Hosea’s time, Israel had grown hard-hearted and had strayed from the LORD. They relied on their own strength, military alliances and wealth, and they also engaged in idolatry and social injustice. The “fallow ground” that Isaiah talks about represented their hearts that were hardened and choked by the weeds of sin and false worship.
The prophet calls on the people to make an immediate, urgent change in their lives. He urged them to “sow righteousness” and to “reap the fruit of steadfast love”. They were to change their ways and live out covenant-faithful obedience, demonstrating righteousness and loyalty to their God. Their time was short, and if they genuinely repented, God promised to respond with blessings and restoration, just like the crucial showers of rain that were needed for a harvest.
What about us? Advent calls us to reflect upon our own lives and follow this same command. If our hearts have been hardened or cold, if we are relying on our own strength or distracted by the “weeds” of sin, it is time to break up the fallow ground. We must soften and prepare it so that good seeds of faith, hope, and love can be planted. This preparation requires active repentance, living out justice, kindness and devotion to God as we wait for the fulfilment of His promise.
Reflection:
What areas of your heart have become hardened or neglected this year? Is there unforgiveness, pride, habitual sin, or spiritual apathy taking root? Let us seek the LORD today through honest confession and repentance, so that we may be ready to receive the “showers of righteousness”, His grace and renewal, with the coming of our LORD.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, We confess that we have allowed our hearts to become hardened when we placed our trust and priorities in things other than You. Help us to turn back to You in humble repentance. Soften our hearts that we may be ready to receive You. Thank You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.