Hosea 10:12

If only a moral miracle could take place, Israel's calamities might yet be averted. Nor is it entirely inconceivable, for miracles, so Hosea thinks, can be wrought by an earnest resolution. Hence Hosea's final appeal.

Sow to yourselves, &c. Rather, Sow to yourselves according to righteousness, and ye shall reap in proportion to love; that is, Let your conduct be governed by a regard to righteousness, and it shall be recompensed in accordance with the divine love (or perhaps, see on Hosea 4:1, in accordance with the love ye have shown to one another, -righteousness" being only another aspect of -love" or benevolence).

Break up your fallow ground Husbandmen in the East are indolent, and sometimes -sow among thorns" (Jeremiah 4:3). The Israelites are warned against committing this fault in their spiritual husbandry. Evil habits must be broken off, and a new character formed, or it will be impossible to sow the seed of righteousness.

for it is time, &c. There is still time to seek Jehovah, till he listen to your prayer, and rain his righteous gift of salvation upon you. For the figure of righteousness coming down from the sky, comp. Isaiah 45:8; Psalms 85:11. -Righteousness" bears the meaning -salvation" which it virtually has so often in the second part of Isaiah, -righteousness" being the divine principle of action, -salvation" the same divine principle in action.