Environmental Impact of Sin and Blessing

Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2 

“’In that day I will respond,’ declares the Lord – ‘I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel.’…’There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.’”

Hosea 2:21, 22; 4:2, 3

Hosea the prophet connected the fertility of the earth and the ecology to God’s blessing, favor, and response to his promises to plant (Jezreel). Conversely, there were environmental consequences to sin. When bloodshed followed bloodshed, the “land mourns” and all creation “wastes away”. Environmental sensitivity without sensitivity to sin’s consequences is inconsistent with God’s economy and creation. There is a direct connection between righteousness and shalom and the environment. Peace with God brings the peace of God and extends to our neighbors and our environmental stewardship. Hosea’s words speak to our context.

Are we listening?

“Lord God, we need your healing and shalom, for your glory.”