THIS WHAT YOU GOT

A nation can slide into a series of moral compromises that lead to tragic consequences.The consequences can then escalate to such degree that everything become chaotic. This happened to the Ancient Jews. In fact, Hosea the phophet called it "reaping the whirlwind."

For they sow the wind, And they reap the whirlwind

(Hosea 8:7a)

The phophet is describing his people, who had lost their way. Why had it happened? Moses had made it clear when they left Egypt and entered Canaan: "You're entering a culture that is idolatrous," he warned them. He told them, in effect, "It is a way of living that is opposed to your montheistic way of life. Stay true, Stand firm. Be distinct. Don't compromise. No idols. No intermarriage. Remember Jehovah. Obey Him. Watch out for the signs of erosion!"

It wasn't long before the Hebrews forgot those warnings. Some kept the Canaanite idols. They may not have worship them at first. In fact, they probably just tossed them in a corner somewhere. But why not keep them; after all, they're just artful carvings. Then perhaps one of the children found an intriguing little figure and started to play with it. Later, he showed it to a neighbor who got interested, and before you know it, several people began to spend more time with the idol. And that led to further involvement...and more interesting..until they "sow the wind" and finally they "reaped a whirlwind."

In fact, if you take the time to make a study of Hosea 8, you'll see a series of things that led up to the whirlwind. "They transgressed My Covenant and rebelled against my law" (v. 1). That's not simply Hebrew poetry; that's truth. They looked at God's law and they rearranged things. Can't you imagine their way of thinking? This seems pretty strict for Canaan life. It made sense when we were in the desert, but we've got to look at things a lot more realistically now. A lot of what Moses said just isn't practical anymore. Our culture require us to adjust here and tolerate there. I mean, these Canaanite women are not only attractive...they're lovely what's the difference if our son falls in love with one of them? He's been raised right.

He's not going to go off the deep end."

And so, in the process of sowing the wind, they" rejected the good" (v. 3).The implications? They embraced the bad. And when it came to deciding about their leaders, they slowly stopped listening to God or seeking His counsel, which led to a major compromise.

They have set up kings, but not by Me;

They have appointed prince, but I did not know it. 

With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, That They might be cut off. (Hosea8:4)

Can you believe this what you just read? These aren't pagan, idol-worshipping Canaanites. These are Gods own people, the Hebrews! And it all started with one or two shrug-of-the-shoulders compromises. Something so simple led to so much sin, so much sorrow, so much suffering, and finally, an entire nation in exile. They sowed the wind, and they reaped the whirlwind. 

Pay attention to the first few step down the slope... 

because that's the culprit. And whoever continues downward sets in motion a cycle of complications. That's why God commands Hosea, "Put the trumphet to your lips!" (v. 1). Scream it out, son! Sound the alarm! Tell the people, "It isn't worth it! 

When Israel failed to trust God and refused to seek His will, they embraced the godless culture around them, which then drew them into a godless lifestyle. After a time, the godless lifestyle ruined them, as a people and a nation. Eventually, the Assyrian invaded and conquered Them, the Northern Kingdom, leading the Hebrews into captivity. At first, God's people lost their distinction...then they lost their faith...then they list their freedom! "They had reaped the whirlwind. Later, the same thing happened in Judah, when the Southern kingdom fell into the hands of the Babylonians. Remember the psalmist's account? 

By the rivers of Babylon, 

There we sat down and wept, 

When we remembered Zion, 

Upon the willows in the midst of it

We hung our harps, 

For there our captors demanded of us songs, 

And our tormentors mirth, saying, 

"Sing us one of the song of Zion." 

(psalm137:1-3).

"Let's hear some of those songs of Zion. Let's hear you sing them now." And the psalmist sights, "How can you sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? They had lost everything 

They transgressed God's Covenant. They rebelled against God's law. They rearranged Gods words. The rejected God's will. They no longer listened to the Lord or sought His counsel. 

Compromise always complicates. But never forget: God doesn't leave. Grieved and disappointed, He faithfully ushers in the consequences, Gos doesn't distance Himself even when He pour on the discipline. Why? Because He is immutable. Amazingly, consistently, and from our point of view, mysteriously faithful.