Break up your fallow ground… (4 things)

• 1^st – The dangers of prosperity… vs. 1-8
  • 1^st – Israel was prosperous – it was full of fruit… vs. 1-2
    • But the more they prospered – the more beautiful the statues and idols they built!
      • Funny story – in Russia it is customary to put pictures of saints on your wall to pray to…
      • If a prayer is answered you reward your saint by embellishing their picture with gold!
    • Rather than giving credit to the Lord – they praised the gods of silver and gold!
      • Did you ever wonder why God does not make more people rich…
      • It certainly would seem that life would be easier if we did not have to worry about money!
      • But suppose God gave us one million dollars – what would it do to our prayer life…
      • The reality is if there is not a need – we rarely take the time to seek the Lord…
      • Because the easier life becomes – the harder it is for us to depend on the Jesus!
      • Deuteronomy 8:10-11 – “When you have eaten and are full… beware that you do not forget the LORD your God.” 
    • Therefore God would break down their altars / sacred pillars…
      • The solution to their divided heart – was to take away the distractions…
      • I knew a guy who bought a new house – which he was going to ‘use for the Lord’…
      • But he ended up spending all his time on the house – and stopped coming to church…
      • So God allowed him to have financial hardship – and he lost the house!
      • If we allow something to distract us from God – He will remove it…
      • That might mean a person who we are trusting in rather than the Lord…
      • Or it might be some shiny new possession – that is consuming all our time…
      • God loves us too much to allow us to have idols in our lives! 
    • There were 3 distractions in particular that God was going to take away:
      
  • 2^nd – The loss of their king… vs. 3 / 7
    • Israel had demanded a King – they wanted to put their trust in a man – I Samuel 8:7…
      • People would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
      • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God…
      • But God does not call us to walk by sight – we are to walk by faith – II Corinthians 5:17
      • Because the problem is people are limited – and cannot always help…
      • They have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
    • As a result of Israel not fearing the Lord – He would take away their king…
      • He would be removed like a piece of driftwood on the open ocean – never seen again…
      • You may have noticed God does not always keep the same people in our lives…
      • Because we have a tendency to learn to depend on others rather than on God…
      • For that reason the Lord will ‘shift’ the people he brings into our lives…
      • Because the one constant in our life – should be the Jesus Christ!
  • 3^rd – The loss of their integrity… vs. 4
    • The people of Israel would make false promises they had no intention of keeping…
      • The result of their dishonesty was perverted justice filled the land like hemlock (poison)!
      • In particular King Hoshea – the last king of Israel – lied to the King of Assyria…
      • He refused to make pay tribute – as a result he was thrown in prison – II Kings 17:4
    • It used to be a handshake was enough…
      • Yet today we need ‘binding contracts’ – because people no longer trust promises…
      • But God does not treat our words lightly – He expects us to fulfill our promises…
      • Numbers 30:2 – “A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.”
      • If we do not follow through with our promise – then it is sin…
      • In fact if we are not sure if we can keep our promise – better to say nothing at all…
      • Ecclesiastes 5:5 – “It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you do not follow through on.”
  • 4^th – The loss of their idols… vs. 5-6 / 8
    • The people of Beth-Aven (Bethel) fear the loss of their golden calf (Jeroboam)…
      • The people mourn for it – and the ‘black robed’ (pagan) priests cry out after it…
      • Because it will be taken as a trophy to the great king (Jareb) of Assyria…
      • Then Israel will be ashamed because they sought the counsel of foolish idol!
      • Have you ever noticed that people who make poor choices…
      • Tend to hang around other people who have made those same choices!
      • They like the advice they get there – because it justifies the choices they want to make…
      • But their confidence is short lived – in the end they will be ashamed of their foolish choices!
      • I Corinthians 3:19 – “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
    • Then the High places of Aven (vanity) will be destroyed…
      • Thorns will grow up where the golden calves once were worshiped…
      • And the people who trusted in them – will cry out for the mountains to fall on them…
      • Desiring death rather than the fate that they had chosen – Revelation 6:16
      • There are only two kinds of people when it comes to God…
      • Sinner who have received the free gift of salvation in Jesus – sinner who have not..
      • It is a terrifying thought to think we will one day have to stand before God…
      • There is no way to hide then from the Lord – He knows everything we have done…
      • For those who reject Jesus – all that waits them is certain and terrifying judgment!
      • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…”

• 2^nd – Break of the fallow ground… vs. 9-15
  • 1^st – Israel had not changed since the days of Gibeah… vs. 9-11
    • In Judges 19 the men of the city demanded to rape a Levite man passing through Gibeah…
      • Only to end up molesting his concubine do death – cut into 12 pieces sent to the 12 tribes!
      • Calling Israel together – to battle against the people of Gibeah – the tribe of Benjamin…
      • Although they were not completely wiped out then – God would not be so kind this time!
    • God would bring together the nations against Israel…
      • Then He would discipline them for their 2 sins – speaking of the two golden calves!
      • Israel had gotten comfortable with the easy life God had provided…
      • Like a heifer that loves to thresh grain – easy job – walk around with lots of food to eat…
      • But now He would harness (yoke) her fair neck – and put her to hard labor…
      • Israel (Ephraim / Judah / Jacob) – would plow hardened earth – the days of ease were over!
      • Have you ever found yourself struggling in life – asking why does it have to be so hard…
      • No matter what you do – it is an uphill climb – 3 steps forward / 2 steps back…
      • God does not want our lives to be hard – He desires to give us the ‘easy job’!
      • Matthew 11:29 – “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
  • 2^nd – Sow in righteousness… vs. 12
    • The cure for the impending judgment – was to sow seeds of righteousness…
      • If the people did – there was still time for them to reap a reward of Grace (mercy)…
      • Now was the time to seek the Lord – so that He could reign down righteousness on them!
      • This would have made perfect sense to the Jews – agrarian culture…
      • There was a specific time when the farmer had to break the fallow ground (till the earth)…
      • In Israel they have the former (fall) and later (spring) rains…
      • The Farmer needs to plant the seeds he wanted to grow before the former rains!
    • The picture is simple…
      • Repent – break up a heart hardened by sin – so that the Word (seed) can come in…
      • If Israel did then God would rain down His grace upon them…
      • And they would grow and bear fruit of righteousness to the Lord!
      • But there was a time limit – judgment was coming – now was the time to seek God!
      • No matter who we are / our background – anyone can be saved – Romans 10:13
      • But there is limited window of opportunity – we do not know when judgement will come…
      • It is easy to forget in life – all of us are always just a step away from death…
      • Which is why it is so important we know where we are going when we die…
      • The problem is God does not guarantee tomorrow – right now is the time to believe!
      • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Today is the day of salvation…”
  • 3^rd – Reaping the rewards of sin… vs. 13-15
    • Israel did not repent – they did not break up their hardened hearts…
      • Instead they plowed ahead in wickedness – and would therefore reap iniquity…
      • They had eaten the fruit of lies – trusting in their own way / the might of their army!
    • As a result – their fortresses would be plundered – women and children dashed to pieces…
      • Just like Shalman (Shalmaneser) had already done to Beth Arbel (house of ambush)!
      • A day would soon dawn when their king – Hoshea – would be utterly cut off!
      • Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right… but its end is death.”
      • We can be absolutely convinced we are making the right choice – and be wrong…
      • The best ideas – from the most qualified men – end in complete devastation without God!
• 3^rd – Bent on backsliding… vs. 1-7
  • 1^st – When Israel was young… vs. 1-4
    • God called Israel out of Egypt (bondage / world) – and called him His son!
      • He taught Israel (Ephraim) how to walk – talking him by the hand…
      • And when he stumbled and fell – it was God who picked him up / healed him!
      • God drew him with gentle ropes (child harness) – bands of love…
      • He was there to remove the yoke from ‘mouth’ of Israel – provide for them!
    • God calls us out of bondage to sin / world – He called us to be His kids!
      • But just like a little child does not learn to walk the first time they step out and try…
      • Their little legs are not strong yet – so they stumble and fall down – a LOT!
      • And we do not get angry with them for falling – we pick them up so they can try again!
      • God is not surprised when we make mistakes – He knows we are sinners…
      • The important thing is to repent and come back to Jesus – get back up!
      • Keeping in mind God is not done with us – in fact He is just getting started!
      • Proverbs 24:16 – “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.”
  • 2^nd – Back to Egypt (bondage)… vs. 5-7
    • Yet the more God called after Israel – the more they ran to idols!
      • They sacrificed to Baal – and burnt incense to carved images – rather than the Lord!
      • Therefore they would return to bondage – but this time to the King of Assyria…
      • And the sword will abide in their cities – because they listened to their own counsel!
    • They were determined to backslide – they might call out on God in a time of trouble…
      • But the people did not really have a heart for the Lord…
      • So the moment the trials would pass – the people would turn back to their sins!
      • II Peter 2:22 – “It has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit…’”
      • When people are face their consequences – they are quick to run to God…
      • But the moment the problem has passed – they go right back to depending on themselves!
      • We prepare our heart to seek the Lord – when we live everyday in humility…
      • Not depending on ourselves – but admitting our constant need for Jesus!
        
• 4^th – The love of the Father… vs. 8-12
  • 1^st – God did not want to destroy Israel… vs. 8-9
    • God has such great love for His people – He COULD NOT give them up…
      • He would not destroy them like Admah / Zeboiim (Sodom / Gomorrah) – Genesis 19
      • He would not completely destroy Israel (Ephraim) in His anger…
      • For He is God – and not a man – meaning He would not change His mind about Israel…
      • He made promises to Israel – Jeremiah 31:33 – and He would not break them…
      • No matter how rebellious and sinful Israel became – God would not change!
      • Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed…”
    • A great comfort – the love of God is not based on our faithfulness…
      • Hebrews 12:5-8 – “You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD… For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and punishes every son whom He receives…’”
      • God loves us too much to let us get away with our sin – so He punishes us…
      • Not because He is angry – or mad at us – but because of His great love for us!
      • God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life!
        
    • Not that Israel got away with their sin – they were scattered among the nations for 2000 years!
      • If the consequence for stealing a million dollars – was you had to say you were sorry…
      • A lot of people would become a thief – but if the consequence were years in prison…
      • If sin did not have any lasting consequence – we might be tempted to sin again…
      • But like the child who only has to touch a hot flame once…
      • Severe consequences teach us a lesson that we will never forget!
  • 2^nd – One day Israel would follow the Lord… vs. 10-12
    • The Lord will roar like a lion – calling His children home from captivity…
      • They will come trembling from the west – flying like doves from Assyria (east)…
      • Perhaps partially fulfilled in the decree of Cyrus to restore Jerusalem – Ezra 1:1…
      • Note: God says that although Israel is full of deceit – Judah still walks with God…
      • But the phrase ‘walks with God’ is disputed – not all scholars agree on its translation …
      • Hosea 12:12 – “Judah is also unruly against God…” (NASB)
      • And many scholars also believe verse 12 should be the first verse of chapter 12
    • But fully fulfilled in the end of the Diaspora – May 14, 1948 – and rebirth of Israel!
      • Isaiah 43-5-6 – “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth.”
      • There is no question that there are consequences for rebelling against the Lord…
      • Israel if a vivid reminder recorded for us to see how devastating that can be…
      • They also reveal the Grace of God – nothing can separate us from His love – Romans 8:38
      • The moment we repent – turn towards God – He will run to meet us – Luke 15:20