Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD… I. WHOM ARE WE TO SEEK? "The Lord." Our Creator, Father, Redeemer, Lord, Judge. II. HOW ARE WE TO SEEK HIM? 1. Earnestly. "Agonise to enter in." 2. Humbly, in view of our helplessness and sin; hence penitently. 3. Prayerfully. 4. Obediently. Israel had become profane, idolatrous covenant breakers. III. WHY ARE WE TO SEEK HIM? 1. For God's sake. 2. For our neighbour's sake. 3. For our own sake. (1) Viewing the facts connected with our being as immortal sinners, we cannot be happy without salvation. (2) Seeking the Lord is preparation for the future. IV. WHEN ARE WE TO SEEK HIM? Now — 1. The Scriptures often urge haste. 2. Delay itself is sin. 3. The great good derived from such a course. 4. The way to the throne is open. 5. The time is short. (W. Veenschoten.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |