When We Plant the Wind…

When people live for themselves, and plot evil, live in wickedness, and have no reverence for God or truth, they reap what they sow, and then wonder why negative things happen to them. They are incapable of innocence. They have no answers, and soon no hope. The irony of all of this is that when you serve yourself, it’s a self-defeating lifestyle. As today’s scripture says, “when you plant the wind, you will harvest the whirlwind”. You don’t plant seeds that produce apple trees, but expect oranges to come from them. How we live matters.

How long will you be incapable of innocence? 6 This calf you worship, O Israel,was crafted by your own hands!It is not God!Therefore, it must be smashed to bits. 7 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it. Hosea 8:5c-7 How long will you be incapable of innocence?6 This calf you worship, O Israel,was crafted by your own hands!It is not God!Therefore, it must be smashed to bits. 7 “They have planted the windand will harvest the whirlwind.The stalks of grain witherand produce nothing to eat.And even if there is any grain,foreigners will eat it.8 The people of Israel have been swallowed up;they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.9 Like a wild donkey looking for a mate,they have gone up to Assyria.The people of Israel have sold themselves–sold themselves to many lovers.10 But though they have sold themselves to many allies,I will now gather them together for judgment.Then they will writheunder the burden of the great king. 11 “Israel has built many altars to take away sin,but these very altars became places for sinning!12 Even though I gave them all My laws,they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.13 The people of Israel love their rituals of sacrifice,but to Me their sacrifices are all meaningless.I will hold My people accountable for their sins,and I will punish them.They will return to Egypt.14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces,and Judah has fortified its cities.Therefore, I will send down fire on their citiesand will burn up their fortresses.” Hosea 8:5c-14