Hosea 10:1-15 THE TIME
I. THE CONDITION THAT DEMANDS REVIVAL!
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
I. HUNGRY HEARTS 1 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.
1. Trusting in Their Own Riches – Increasing in wealth and power.
2. Trusting in Their Own Righteousness – Self gain was ruling their way. 3. Trusting in Their Own Rights – No concern for the way of the Lord.
1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself:
II. HESITANT HEARTS 2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
1. A Double Heart - Controlled by the Flesh – James says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, James 1:8.
2. A Deceitful Heart -not Real – Claim the name of God, but live like the world.
3. A Divided Heart – afraid to really stand for the Lord.
4. A Deceived Heart – Taken in by false worship, an empty form of God, III. HOSTILE HEARTS 3 For now they shall say, We have no king,
1. They had no King to lead them – So they ask what good are they.
2. They had no King to help them – So their direction was confused.
3. They had no King to teach them the fear of God – So bitterness, and bad attitude.
IV. HIDING HEARTS 5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
Following False Gods.
V. HEEDLESS HEARTS - Ungrateful 11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
1. Loves to Tread the Corn – Knowing the goodness of God, but taking it for granted.
2. Fair neck – She had forgotten how good God was to them.
3. Shall Break His Clods – The easy life was over it was time carry the load.
VI. HARDENED HEARTS 12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Fallow Ground - Unplowed - was fruitful and can be fruitful again.
II. THE COMMAND THAT PREPARES REVIVAL!
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
(a) SOWING “sow to yourselves in righteousness!”
Galatians 6:7, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
(b) GROWING “reap in mercy!”
“in mercy.” It is always undeserved and unmerited – an act of His wonderful grace.
(c) HOEING “break up your fallow ground.”
Jeremiah 4:3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
Selfishness, pride, prayerlessness, covetousness, self-will, malice, envy and other thorny sins of the spirit must be plowed under and the fallow ground broken.
(d) KNOWING “it is time to seek the Lord.”
i. The Possibility Of Seeking the Lord.
ii. The Punctuality In Seeking the Lord. "It Is Time"
iii. The Practicality In Seeking the Lord. "To Seek"
iv. The Profitability In Seeking the Lord. "Till He Come"
Amos 5:4 thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
II Chron 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, AND SEEK MY FACE, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”
III. THE CONTINUANCE THAT PROMISES REVIVAL!
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
We are to continue breaking, sowing, and seeking until revival comes.
“‘There shall be showers of blessing:’Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honour Thy Word.
“Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.”
