Hosea 10:12 - Disking

“3 Jesus told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: 'Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.” (Matthew 13:3–4, New Living Translation, 2015)

There's more to the parable, but just consider this first part of it: seed falling on a footpath.

Jesus later explained...
“19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.” (Matthew 13:19, NLT2015) 

After some heavy equipment was used in my yard last year to remove a tree, my lawn needed major repair. I had to hire someone who came with the right equipment to reseed some large patches that had no grass. Before he could do that though, he had to break up the hardened soil. That, of course, will make it easier for the seeds to send roots down into the dirt, easier for water to soak into the ground, and easier for the water to carry fertilizer to the new root system.

Hosea 10 describes different things that can harden our hearts to the word of God, 
No respect for God (v.3)
Breaking promises & lying (v. 4, 13)
Letting other things take the place of God (vv.5, 8)

There are other reasons that people might be hard-hearted toward God:
Cynicism, resentment, guilt... who knows!

Hosea concludes, “I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” (Hosea 10:12, NLT2015)

Father, Whenever we see a farmer disking his field, remind us to break up hardened soil in our lives.  Make us receptive to Your word. Send us whatever water and fertilizer is needed to make it grow in our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.