Hosea 10:9-12

Sow in righteousness; reap in mercy -- Hosea 10:9-12 : Israel had never stopped sinning since that time at Gibeah. Now they faced attacked at Gibeah. Gibeah will always be remembered for the horrible rape and murder of the Levite's wife. (Judges 19) Gibeah was also connected with much of the public life of Saul. It was connected to the evil that was carried on there by the nation while Saul was their first king. When Jeroboam set up idols there were two, one at Dan and one at Bethel. (1 Kings 12:29) These two furrows led the children of Israel to all kinds of sins and rebellion. The people of Assyrians would be gathered together against the nation to chastise them.

In Bible days animals were used to tread out the grain and to pull the plow. The animals enjoyed the easier task of treading out the grain. Early in their history Israel was like that obedient calf that had enjoyed the easy job of threshing the grain. They served God in the homeland. Sadly, they rebelled against God. As chastisement He put a yoke on their powerful neck and made them plow and cultivate the ground. The kingdom was destined to go into captivity as a punishment for its idolatry. It was too late for the nation, but it was not too late for the individual. If a person will sow righteousness they reap mercy. If they would but seek the Lord He would rain down His mercy and saving power like rain.