S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Hosea 8:7 makes the enigmatic statement, "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." This proverb is known in modern times for its use in military speeches and as a title for a scie...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

The phrase "warns us that we should anticipate suffering serious consequences as the outcome of our own bad actions or negligence." --Dr. Robert Kim-Farley

About Hosea 8:7, Wiersbe says, “In their idolatry and political alliances, the Israelites were trying to sow seeds that would produce a good harvest, but they were only sowing the wind—vanity, nothing— and would reap the whirlwind. Nothing could stop the force of the Assyrian army. The harvest would be more powerful than the seed!” To further explain this exposition of Wiersbe in his The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, I compare his comments in his book, Index of Biblical Images. Here he wriites that Wind/Whirlwind symbolizes Vanity, Futility of Life. He lists:
Proverbs 11:29
Eccles. 1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 5:16; 6:9; 8:8
Isaiah 26:18; 41:29
Hosea 8:7; 12:1

The phraseology, "sown the wind," proverbially means that all their undertakings shall be profitless (Pr 11:29; Ec 5:16). 

In one of the Proverbs of Solomon it says, 

"Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart." (Proverbs 11:29). 

In a different Old Testament book authored by King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 5:16 says in a section about the vanity of wealth and honor, "This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?" (Ecclesiastes 5:16).

JFB

The above refer to "sowing the wind." "Reaping the whirlwind" would include, I believe, verses about God's Judgment:

Hosea 4:19 --NET Bible
A whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings; they will be brought to shame because of their idolatrous worship.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Hosea/4/19
Hosea 8:7

Hosea 8:7 beginning here to the end of the chapter in the ESV (Hos 8:7-10)

Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

7 For they sow the wind,
and they shall reap the whirlwind.
The standing grain has no heads;
it shall yield no flour;
if it were to yield,
strangers would devour it.

April 14 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind?
Hosea 8:7

Regarding the Israelites and the folly and vanity of their faithless course, Hosea writes: "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: he hath no standing grain; the blade shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up."

By practising sin, those Israelites were sowing what was bad. Could they keep doing so without reaping bad consequences? They surely would not escape adverse judgment.

Because they sowed evil, they would reap evil. God's judgment against them was carried out in 740 B.C.E., when the Assyrians overthrew the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel and led its inhabitants into captivity.

The Israelites' experience teaches us a basic truth: We reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7)

To understand Hosea's words, it helps to know what was happening in Israel at the time. Hosea prophesied in the final years of Israel's northern kingdom, a period marked by political instability, idolatry, and spiritual decline. Although the nation still outwardly claimed to worship God, many people had mixed that worship with the practices of surrounding nations. They set up idols, trusted military alliances, and looked to foreign powers for protection instead of relying on the Lord.
"For they sow the wind"

This phrase describes Israel's actions and choices. The nation turned away from God and trusted idols, foreign alliances, and human plans rather than the Lord. Like a farmer scattering seed, Israel invested its time, energy, and hope in things with no real substance or lasting value. "Wind" represents emptiness, futility, and spiritual unfaithfulness.

"and they shall reap the whirlwind"

A whirlwind is far more powerful and destructive than a gentle breeze. Hosea's point is that the consequences of Israel's actions would be much greater than they expected. Their rebellion would not merely result in disappointment but in national disaster. The Assyrian invasion that later overwhelmed the northern kingdom would prove this warning true. What they had carelessly sown would return with greater force.

"It hath no stalk"

The prophet shifts to another farming image. Grain normally grows a stalk before producing a harvest. Here the crop fails before it even matures. Israel's efforts would produce nothing worthwhile because they were not rooted in obedience to God.

"The bud shall yield no meal"

Even if something appeared to be growing, it would not provide food. The expected harvest would prove useless. Israel hoped its policies and alliances would bring prosperity and security, but those hopes would not be fulfilled.

"If so be it, yield"

This suggests even the slightest possibility of a crop surviving. Hosea is saying that even if some benefit appears to come from Israel's actions, it will not remain in their possession.

"the strangers shall swallow it up"
Foreign nations would take any gain Israel might achieve. This was fulfilled when powerful empires dominated the land and carried away its wealth and people. The nation would not enjoy the fruit of its labour.

The Main Message

Hosea 8:7 warns about cause and effect. Israel pursued empty things instead of God, expecting security and success. Instead, those choices led to loss and judgement. The verse teaches that what people sow in life eventually produces a harvest, and rejecting God's ways often brings consequences far greater than anticipated.

The contrast is striking: they sowed wind, something empty and seemingly harmless, but they reaped a whirlwind, something powerful and destructive. Hosea's warning called the nation to recognise where its path was leading and to return to God before the storm arrived.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report