Reap the whirlwind
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“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Paul’s saying from Galatians 6:7 is a common biblical theme. The judgement which befalls the wicked is not an alien imposition. It is the way they’ve been heading all along, the destination of their course, the fruit of their living.
Hosea looks on the northern kingdom, about to feel the force of the Assyrian super-power. And he says:
“They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8:7)
Israel has been chasing after foreign gods like a harlot chasing lovers. Now Israel will experience what it’s like to have them as lords. We talk about “playing with fire” and getting burnt – Hosea speaks of investing in high winds and getting a hurricane as a pay-out.
What is most chilling is not God’s judgement. What is most chilling is the madness of the human heart which freely sows to its own doom. This is especially tragic since, all the while the Bridegroom – Christ – pursues harlots like us to win us back to His love. He stands between sinners and hell with arms outstretched. If we want Him we can have Him. If not, we shall reap what we sow.
When we picture judgement, we should not picture the hurling of unwilling reprobates into perdition. Instead it’s the handing over of hell-bent sinners to their heart’s desire. Judgement is when God gives people what they want. They have sown the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind.
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