Job 4:8, Pro 22:8, Hos 8:7, 10:12 | JFB | STEP | 8. they that plough iniquity . . . reap the same

Job 4:8

8. they that plough iniquity . . . reap the same— (Pr 22:8; Ho 8:7; 10:13; Ga 6:7, 8).

Proverbs 22:8

8. (Compare Pr 11:18; Ps 109:16-20; Ga 6:7, 8).

the rod . . . fail—His power to do evil will be destroyed.

Hosea 8:7

7. sown . . . reap— (Pr 22:8; Ga 6:7). "Sow . . . wind," that is, to make the vain show of worship, while faith and obedience are wanting [CALVIN]. Rather, to offer senseless supplications to the calves for good harvests (compare Ho 2:8); the result being that God will make them "reap no stalk," that is, "standing corn." Also, the phraseology proverbially means that all their undertakings shall be profitless (Pr 11:29; Ec 5:16).

the bud—or, "growth."

strangers—foreigners (Ho 7:9).

Hosea 10:12

12. Continuation of the image in Ho 10:11 (Pr 11:18). Act righteously and ye shall reap the reward; a reward not of debt, but of grace.

in mercy—according to the measure of the divine "mercy," which over and above repays the goodness or "mercy" which we show to our fellow man (Lu 6:38).

break . . . fallow ground—Remove your superstitions and vices, and be renewed.

seek . . . Lord, fill he come—Though not answered immediately, persevere unceasingly "till He come."

rain—send down as a copious shower.

righteousness—the reward of righteousness, that is, salvation, temporal and spiritual (1Sa 26:23; compare Joe 2:23 ).