Living in Ohio is a wonderful opportunity to see large and small farms and to observe the way that the farmers till the earth as well as sow and reap the harvest. Perhaps nothing in the world illustrates the nature of sowing and reaping as well as the act of farming in America. Some of the most productive farming in the world takes place in the mid-west region of America [i.e. including Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and other states]. In God’s Book [i.e. the Bible], there are many illustrations that refer to farming and agriculture in general, a few of them follow in our study today:
1. JESUS TEACHES A LESSON ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF A SOWER OF GOOD SEED AND THE EVENTS THAT BEFALL THE SEED IN A VARIETY OF PLACES, THE SOWER WENT FORTH TO SOW: Matt. 13:3-8, 3 And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some (seeds) fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them: 5 and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them: 8 and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ASV
RESULTS: JESUS ALSO GIVES THE ANSWER TO THE INQUIRERERS QUESTION: Matt. 13:18-23, 18 Hear then ye the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, (then) cometh the evil (one), and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. 20 And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; 21 yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for awhile; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. 22 And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ASV
2. THE APOSTLE PAUL USES THE CONCEPT OF SOWING AND REAPING IN 2 CORINTHIANS TO TEACH A LESSON ON THE SUBJECT OF BENEVOLENCE: 2 Cor. 9:8-11, 8 And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: 9 as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. 10 And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 11 ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.
3. PAUL USES THE FIGURE OF AN OX WORKING FOR THE FARMER TO SHOW THAT THE ELDERS AND OTHERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORK OF GOD OUGHT TO BE CARED FOR BY THEIR OWNERS [i.e. those for whom they labor]. 1 Tim. 5:17-18, 17 let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 for the scripture saith, Thou shall not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, the laborer is worthy of his hire. ASV
4. IN THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN GOD’S VINEYARD, JESUS IS SHOWING THAT WHOSOEVER COMES TO GOD AND LABORS THEIR LIFE IN FAITHFUL SERVICE WILL RECEIVE HEAVEN’S REWARD FOR THEIR SERVICE. THIS INCLUDES THOSE WHO COME TO CHRIST EARLY OR LATER [i.e. in time OR in life]: Matt. 20:1-8, 1 for the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle; 4 and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh (hour) he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard. 8 And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ASV
THE PARABLE HERE IS SOLVED IN Matt 20:9-16: 9 and when they came that (were hired) about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling. 10 And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling. 11 And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, 12 saying, These last have spent (but) one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. 13 but he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling? 14 Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last. ASV
5. THE FOLLOWING PARABLE DISCUSSES THE FIG TREE PLANTED IN THE VINEYARD [i.e. the condition of the fig tree represents a disciple’s lack of fruit bearing]. THE LORD SAYS TO CARE FOR IT FOR A WHILE AND TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO SEE THAT IT GETS PROPER ATTENTION BUT IF IT DOES NOT PRODUCE IN THE FUTURE, CUT IT DOWN. Luke 13:6-9, 6 and he spoke this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 8 And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 and if it bear fruit thenceforth, (well); but if not, thou shall cut it down.
6. THE LORD USES A SIMILAR FIGURE WHEN DISCUSSING THE WICKED CONDITION OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES — Jesus warns them, then predicts their ultimate end if they do not correct their sinful condition: Matt. 3:7-8, 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: ASV JESUS SAYS THEY; as a corrupt tree WOULD BE CUT DOWN and CAST INTO THE FIRE: Matt. 3:9-10, 9 and think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ASV
7. THE LORD USES THE NATURE OF THE MUSTARD SEED TO SHOW THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD [i.e. the church of Christ]: Luke 13:18-19, 18 He said therefore, unto what the kingdom of God like? And whereunto shall I liken it? 19 It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof. ASV CONCLUSION: While God could have used many things to illustrate these seven facets of truth I have referred to in this study; he chose to use figures that pertain to farming. We today can learn many good lessons about life and true service to God by looking at the figures that use farming and/or AGRICULTURE in the Bible.