Definition: Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hosea 10:13. It’s a pretty powerful and thought-provoking statement about our choices and consequences. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is essentially saying that we’ve been living a life of sin and wrongdoing, and as a result, we’re reaping the negative outcomes of those things. It’s like a harvest – we’ve grown something (our sinful ways) that's causing harm. Let’s break it down word by word: “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity…” This is saying we’ve planted or created wickedness – that’s moral wrong, bad behavior, and sin. Think of it like sowing a seed of negativity. “…ye have eaten the fruit of lies…” This means we've been consuming the poisonous fruit of deceit, dishonesty, and false teachings. It’s like eating something rotten - it doesn't nourish you, it weakens you. “Because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” This is the crucial part. It’s saying that we over-relied on our own strength and cleverness (our "mighty men") to get things done. We relied on our own plans and abilities instead of God's guidance and wisdom. Putting it all together – a simplified explanation: "You’ve been living a life filled with wrong doing, and you've been relying on your own strength without listening to God or seeking His help. Because you leaned too much into your own ideas instead of trusting in Him, you’re reaping the consequences – the negative results of your choices." What does this mean for us? It highlights a common human tendency: We often think we know best and can handle things on our own. This verse warns against that and encourages us to: Turn to God: Relying solely on ourselves isn’t effective, and it leads to problems. Seek His Guidance: We need God's help and wisdom to make good choices. Listen to the Holy Spirit: He’ll guide us toward the right path. In essence, this verse is a call to repentance – to turn away from our sinful ways and seek God’s grace and forgiveness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Give you some examples of how this verse applies to modern life?