LWMC – 11 March 2012
Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind
Hosea 8—9
As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. While this saying may be seen in a
positive light, not so the saying in Hosea 8.7 which says, ‘They sow the wind and reap
the whirlwind.’
‘Wind is one of the most powerful forces in nature. While humans have at times
harnessed and converted its power for useful purposes, the mere mention of a
mighty windstorm usually brings to mind images of destruction and stirs up feelings
of helplessness and even terror. It is no surprise, then, that the OT uses the imagery
of a powerful windstorm to picture calamity and irresistible divine judgment.
The Hebrew terms translated “whirlwind” (sā‘ar, se‘ārâ and sûp̄ â) refer generally to
high winds (Ps 55:8; Hos 8:7), such as a tornado-like whirlwind (Jer 23:19), the
powerful winds that accompany storms at sea (Ps 107:25, 29; Jon 1:4, 11–13) or a
destructive thunderstorm (Job 27:20; Ezek 13:11, 13). In several cases the terms,
especially sûp̄ â, appear to refer to the hot sirocco or khamsin windstorms that sweep
into Israel from the southern or eastern deserts at the beginning or end of summer.
This wind can raise the temperature to unbearable limits, while nearly eliminating
any humidity in the air…)’1
The whirlwind ‘also symbolizes divine judgment because of its sudden motion (Ps.
18:10; Na. 1:3) and divine wrath (Ps. 58:9; Pr. 10:25; Is. 17:13; 28:17; 66:15; Ho.
8:7).’2
(Expected responses to discussion questions are given in bullet points)
1. Israel forgot their Maker
Ask a group member to read 8.4a and 8.14.
 What was the wind Israel had sown and the consequent whirlwind they
will reap as revealed by these verses?
Ask another group member to write down the contributions of the group
letting these be visible to all, eg, write on whiteboard or large sheet of paper.
1
L Ryken, J Wilhoit, T Longman, C Duriez, D Penney, & D Reid, Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (electronic ed)
(InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, 2000)
2
D R W Wood & I H Marshall, New Bible Dictionary (electronic ed) (InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, 1996)
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LWMC – 11 March 2012
Wind
 They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without
my approval (8.4a)
 Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces3; Judah has fortified
many towns (8.14)
Whirlwind
 I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses (8.14)
 What then is the main issue here?
 Israel forgot their Maker (the One who chose and formed Israel)
 In what ways could you personally be forgetting your Maker in your
daily living?
 In what ways could we corporately as a church be forgetting our Maker,
the One who brought our community into existence?
Let the wind that Israel sowed throw light on how you/we may be
forgetting your/our Maker.
2. Israel practised syncretism
Read this definition of ‘syncretism’ to your group: ‘The process by which
elements of one religion are assimilated into another religion resulting in a
change in the fundamental tenets or nature of those religions.’4
 What is the evidence of syncretism as the wind that Israel had sown
and what is the consequent whirlwind they will reap as revealed by
these verses?
Ask a group member to read 8.2-3, 4b-6, 11; 9.1-3. Ask another group
member to write down the contributions of the group as in the earlier section.
Wind
 Israel cries out to me ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel
has rejected what is good (8.2-3)
3
A symbol of royal power
W A Elwell (ed), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Books/Paternoster Press: Grand Rapids/Carlisle,
1984)
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LWMC – 11 March 2012
 With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves…This
calf…it is not God (8.4b-6)
 Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have
become altars for sinning (8.11)
 For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a
prostitute at every threshing floor (9.1) – see note below
Note for 9.1:
‘One of the essential installations within the farming areas of Israel
was the threshing floor. Harvested grain was brought here for
processing and distribution (see Ruth 3:2, 7). It would also be the
likely site for public gatherings (see the confrontation in 1 Kings
22:10) and for harvest celebrations (Deut 16:13). However, Israel is
enjoined to rejoice no longer since the people have demonstrated
their infidelity by expressing their faith in Baal’s ability to provide
their abundance (see Hos 2:7–8). Apparently common prostitutes as
well as cult prostitutes frequented the areas where harvest and
shearing festivals took place... Thus Israel plays the prostitute
amidst the grain, taking her hire from those gods she credited with
the harvest rather than acknowledging Yahweh’s role.’
Whirlwind
 An enemy will pursue him (8.3)
 They make idols for themselves to their own destruction (8.4)
 My anger burns against them…It will be broken in pieces, that calf
of Samaria (8.5-6)
 Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people; the new
wine will fail them (9.2)
 They will not remain in the LORD’s land…will return to Egypt…eat
unclean food in Assyria (9.3)
 How may you personally/in your personal worship be practising
syncretism?
 How may we corporately as a church/in our corporate worship be
practising syncretism?
3. Israel made foreign alliances
Read together 8.7-10. Ask a group member to write down as before the
contributions of group members as you consider together what wind Israel
had sown and the whirlwind they will reap as revealed by these verses.
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LWMC – 11 March 2012
Wind
 They sow the wind (8.7)
 Ephraim has sold herself to lovers…they have sold themselves
among the nations (8.9-10)
Whirlwind
 They…reap the whirlwind (8.7)
 Israel is swallowed up by the foreign nations (8.8)
 Israel…like something no one wants…They will begin to waste away
under the oppression of the mighty king (8.8, 10)
 In what ways could you be making foreign alliances in your daily life?
 In what ways could we as a church be making foreign alliances in our
corporate worship and in our church life together?
 What would happen to us if we continue to make these foreign
alliances?
4. Sowing the Word
 In order to reap what is good, what then is the good you should be
sowing? Consider how 8.12 and 9.17 are instructive.
 Invite group members to share examples of how the Word of God may
be regarded ‘as something foreign’.
 After members have shared, allow some time for personal reflection on
how they themselves may have regarded God’s Word ‘as something
foreign’ and what they intend to do about it in the week.
 To foster support and help exhort one another to sow what is good, ask
group members to form groups of two and share their personal
reflection and intention for their mutual prayer support and
accountability, eg, checking with each other during the week/the next
Sunday.
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