It’s our first freeze, the growing season closes. I snapped up mini tomatoes and pulled in my poinsettia, a tropical plant, which thrived this summer outside. I didn’t take out the tomatoes or garden vines because the freezing will help make it obvious what won’t last the winter and I will strip back the garden then.
“For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them”
I learned that Hosea’s poetry collection, presented in 14 chapters, is completed with this statement above – essentially reiterating a Bible-long sentiment: the Way of the Lord is the righteousness for us to walk in. The light to see and grow in, over idols which don’t last and waste precious resources. And the fruit of His Spirit comes like the fruit on us. Jesus said “I am the vine, you are the branches” – we are asked to bear fruit given by the Lord. The long time realization to come back to a loving all powerful Lord is echoed in the sentiment in Hosea 14 about God sharing His Grace to His people – His branches shall spread – Your fruit is found in me…it’s now GROW TIME, from HIS Vine.
These days we wonder of the harvests, the resources for days ahead. God’s people are His blossom, maturing and working towards harvest. His righteousness, setting the long suffering and wandering wayward Israelites and Judah-ites back on track, is reminding us of our righteousness too – it comes from the Lord. And with the proper connection, we are to fruit as well. Turn away from life that sours and tap into the joy of living for Him. The seeds we leave behind will be needed by the future generations.
What is not lasting will freeze away like the tomato plants, or tropical plants in the northern climes – the green leaves delicate. What lasts will last. Harvesters know fruit is enjoyable to share, the seeds to save and plant. Yet what lasts the cold? The Vine of the Lord sustains and survives in the winter, to bloom and fruit again.
“All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 echoed in 1st Peter
A harvesting of the Lord’s people will come when Jesus comes again, meanwhile keep working the soil for souls, fish for men, share the love.
Closing out Hosea’s old testament sentiment, God’s Love endures – and is faithful – He will restore – His faithful (us) will heal.
Amen
Hosea 14
Israel Restored at Last
O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
“Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.”
Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.
Isaiah 40:6-8 NKJV “All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
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echoed in 1st Peter 1:13-25
Be Holy
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Debbie Upper 