Spurgeon Morning and Evening April 1 PM

Biblical Context

The book of Hosea comes from an old prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim, during a tough time. It’s set in the 8th century BC, right before Assyria crushed Israel. The nation had turned away from God, running after other gods like Baal, mixing their worship with pagan ways, and facing deep social problems like lying, stealing, and murder.

Hosea’s life story acts like a living picture of God’s relationship with Israel. God told him to marry Gomer, a woman who wasn’t faithful, and this difficult marriage shows just how Israel had been unfaithful to God. Even with all the unfaithfulness and coming judgment, God’s deep love and desire for His people to come back to Him shine through the whole book. Hosea often shows God’s hurt and disappointment, but also His loving plan to bring them back and heal them.

Hosea 10 is part of a series of warnings about the empty worship and political alliances Israel had made instead of trusting God. They had planted wickedness, reaped injustice, and eaten the fruit of lies. The call to “seek the Lord” here is a plea for them to stop their fake religion and realign their lives with God’s ways, to break up their hardened ground and plant righteousness before it’s too late and God’s judgment falls like rain.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “seek” from our verse, “It is time to seek the Lord.” In Hebrew, this word is bāqaš (בָּקַשׁ). It’s a strong word with a few important meanings:

• To search for or try to find something. It’s not just a casual glance; it’s an active hunt.
• To want something very much, to crave it.
• To ask for something, to request.
• To try to get something, to strive for it.

When Hosea says it’s time to bāqaš the Lord, it’s a call to actively look for Him, to crave His presence, and to put real effort into finding Him. It’s not about waiting for God to show up on your doorstep, but about running after Him with all you’ve got. It means making God your main goal, asking for His ways, and doing everything you can to get close to Him.

The Opening Gates of Life

This month of April, with its opening buds and blossoms, gives us a living picture. It’s like we’ve just arrived at the gates of a flowery new year. Everything around us is waking up, stretching out, and showing new life.

A Call to the Unsaved

Reader, if you haven’t yet found salvation, let your heart be like nature around us. Just as everything is waking up, may your heart open up to receive the Lord. Every single blossoming flower is a warning: “It is time to seek the Lord.” Don’t be out of tune with what you see; let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires.

Youth’s Vigour for God

Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? Then, I really ask you, give your energy and strength to the Lord. You’ve got so much life in you now, use it for the one who gave it to you!

I can tell you that it was my unbelievable joy to be called when I was young, and I could praise the Lord every day because of it. Salvation is beyond value, no matter when it comes, but oh! Getting saved early in life has a double value. Young men and maidens, since you may die before you even get to your best years, remember: “It is time to seek the Lord.”

Warnings for Those in Decline

You who feel the first signs of getting older, speed up your pace. That hollow cough, that hectic flush – those are warnings you shouldn’t mess with. For you, it really is time to seek the Lord.

No More Delay for the Elderly

Did I see a little grey mixed in with your hair, which used to be so full and rich? Years are flying by quickly, and death is getting closer with fast steps. Let each new spring push you to get your house in order. Dear reader, if you are now older in life, let me beg and plead with you to delay no longer. There is a day of grace for you right now – be thankful for that, but it’s a limited season and gets shorter every time that clock ticks.

A Final Urgent Call

Here in this quiet room, on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can with paper and ink, and from my deepest self, as God’s servant, I put before you this warning: “It is time to seek the Lord.” Don’t make little of that work; it might be your last call away from destruction, the very last word from God’s kindness.