Hosea 10:9 – “O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah; there they stood. The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.”
The prophet Hosea in today’s One Year Bible reading is possibly referring to an incident in Judges chapter 19. A Levite was traveling with his concubine and came to the town of Gibeah and spent the night with an old man who was from the same part of Israel as the Levite, but was presently staying in Gibeah. Later that evening the Bible says the following in Judges 19:22 – “As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!’
These men of Gibeah had intended to satisfy their perverted desires with the Levite. Instead, the concubine was given over to these men, who brutally raped and abused the woman all night until she finally died. The Levite took her dead body and cut it into twelve pieces and sent each piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Verse 30 of Judges 19 says that nothing like that had ever been done in Israel.
Fast-forward 300 years to our text. Hosea suggests that some sin happened in Gibeah that was so significant it paralyzed Israel’s progress. The phrase “there they stood” can be interpreted “there they remained.” Some times people are unable to move forward and make any progress in their lives because of unresolved sin that was so pronounced it became a defining moment where sin took control and began to dominate.
Fortunately, Hosea gives us some insight three verses later in verse 12 that can help us “move on” from such a paralyzing event. There are three distinct steps to take:
1. Sow To Yourselves Righteousness. Simply put, start doing right things. Offset the negative seeds sown in the past by sowing good seeds. This will eventually overtake the bad harvest because the bad harvest will end since no more “sin seeds” are being sown.
2. Break Up Your Fallow Ground. The only way seed is going to be effective is if the ground is plowed to accept the seed. This has to do with our hearts. Make sure there is no hardness in any area.
3. It Is Time To Seek The Lord. Prayer is always in order. Prayer will soak the seeds of good that you have done. Prayer will soak the seeds of the implanted word in your heart. Prayer will bring heaven’s rain upon you and blessing will come.
Some times we need to discover why things aren’t working out for us. It could be because of a “Gibeah experience” in our past. Recognize it, deal with it, and move on.