Bible Commentaries

Sow to Yourselves

Hosea 10:12

Our hearts are like a field, and if we neglect them the only crop we can look for is the natural weeds of the soil; but if we get our hearts made clean and then diligently sow to ourselves in righteousness, we may hope for a gracious and holy harvest.

I. We are to sow to ourselves. Religion is personal, and our first duty is to look well to ourselves.

a. Our own spiritual comfort is of paramount importance.

b. In order to sow in righteousness, unrighteousness must be put away.

II. What shall we sow? We are to sow in righteousness—that Hosea 10:12

The state of the people of Israel was such that they had need to seek God by repentance and prayer. But the text is equally applicable to all who are not at peace with God.

I. A Great and Solemn Duty.—The duty of seeking God is the first and most pressing duty of every sinner.

a. The text implies that God has been forsaken, or forgotten. This is true of all who have not repented and come to God.

b. Since man, as a sinner, is estranged from God, his duty is to seek God by repentance and prayer.

c. Seeking God implies faith in Jesus Christ.

d. Only by seeking God can we be delivered from sin and its dreadful consequences.

II. It is Time to Seek.

e. That it is time to seek the Lord is clear from the plain teaching of Scripture.

f. It is time to seek the Lord because much evil has already been committed.

g. It is time to seek the Lord because difficulties are increased by delay.

h. It is time to seek the Lord because life is so uncertain.

—G. Charlesworth, Sermonic Suggestions, p22.

Cords of a Man