‘FRUIT WHICH IS DEADLY’
‘Ye have eaten the fruit of lies.’
Hosea 10:13
The faithless, divided heart of man produced its natural fruit. In this chapter we find that Israel as a sinful nation is (I) described, (II) appealed to, (III) punished.
I. The picture of sinful Israel.—Three characteristics are specially emphasised:—
(1) Selfishness. Israel bringeth forth fruit unto himself. The meaning is, that the people are not rich toward God. They are like a vine barren of fruit, but abundant in leaves and tendrils. The tree which puts all its vigour into leaves is sure to bear poor fruit, if indeed it bear any at all.
(2) Deceitfulness. Deceitfulness cuts both ways. ‘The pleasure is as great of being cheated as to cheat.’ The man who fools others is tolerably certain in the end to get fooled himself. ‘Honesty is the best policy.’
(3) Self-confidence. ‘Thou didst trust in thy way,’ etc. Here are two sources of confidence: natural wisdom and natural armies. The one is within, the other is without. The American, by his circumstances, is tempted to over-reliance upon self. Smartness, which, as a master motive, leads to so many crimes and wrecks so many lives, is here pointed to. The Englishman, on the other hand, is naturally proud of his invincible armies, marching with the swing of centuries of conquest. Both, as sources of trust, are wrong.
II. The sinful people appealed to.—The tone here is very tender. ‘O Israel, thou hast sinned.’ ‘I passed over upon her fair neck.’ God had not put a heavy, galling burden on this people. They had not yet been carried away into captivity. So also, ‘Sow to,’ etc. Notice the beauty of this verse. Sow if you mean to reap. Righteousness sown yields mercy. Change your whole life. Break up your fallow ground. Cultivate the barren places in your natures. It is time to seek the Lord. Do this, and He will send such a power of Divine grace that righteousness shall rain upon you.
III. The description of Israel’s punishment.—The national religion shall utterly break down. The king shall be removed. The reason for this is, ‘we feared not the Lord.’ Idolatry is discovered to be in vain, the very idols in which Israel trusted shall be given to this conqueror. Idolatry is further discovered to lie at the root of the ruin which has befallen the nation. The shame and horror of this national humiliation. The people shall struggle in vain. The very fortresses shall themselves be sacked. The fearful scenes of violence which accompany a siege shall be enacted in the capital.
Illustrations
(1) ‘Israel lived for itself. It made leaves, but brought forth no fruit. Christians sometimes do the same. “Give up praying that you may enjoy your religion,” was said to one of this kind, who had prayed for personal happiness in vain, “and set to work helping some one else.” The slave-holder who had a slave and a half, and prayed that God would bless “Moses and my share of Pete,” illustrated a state of mind all too common.’
(2) ‘God is the great King, the Sovereign Ruler. Lose Him and all is lost. What can an earthly king do for us if we have lost the protection of the God of all the earth? We learn how closely connected are loyalty and religion. Not to fear God is not to honour the Ruler. The secret of all prosperity in any nation is godliness.’
(3) ‘It may be that in our own hearts and lives there is a great deal of fallow ground, covered with thorns and thistles, and given over to neglect and waste. How important that we should break it up! Let us ask that God would drive the ploughshare of deep heart-searching and conviction across the caked and sterile acres. “It is time to seek the Lord.” Death is certain; judgment is hasting; opportunities are waxing fewer; the soul is becoming more and more callous. Ask God to break in upon the awful lethargy which may be settling down upon you.’