In the 700’s BC., agriculture was an important part of daily life.  Vegetables were not available for purchase at the local supermarket; everyone had to grow their own food to survive.  Farming wasn’t delegated to only a handful of citizens; almost the entire populace of Israel grew crops.  Therefore, the idea of sowing and reaping would have been a well-known and widely understood concept in Hosea’s day.  So the LORD used an image that Israel was familiar with, He gave them an allegory and simile with which they could relate to and one which everyone would have understood—He told them that it was time for some spiritual farming.  

​Over and over, Hosea repeats the same theme:  Israel has broken the covenant, therefore, judgment is coming.  It’s the same message, but voiced in different ways.  Throughout our journey through this amazing book, we found various reasons why God had a contention with His beloved people.  Now, as we enter chapter ten, we find yet another reason for God’s impending judgment.