In fact, Israel herself becomes a harvest ( Hosea 6:11 ). As God of the harvest, the Lord speaks and takes it away ( Hosea 2:9 ). The prophets indicate that the Lord destroyed the harvest in judgment ( Isa 18:4-6 Jer 12:13 ). In the New Testament, believers may sow and reap a spiritual harvest of righteousness ( 2 Cor 9:10 ). Metaphorical usage of harvest takes on a positive sense when Jeremiah refers to Israel as God's fruitfruits of harvest ( 2:3 ). Metaphorical uses of the word stem from this viewpoint. Some of the harvest remained in the fields for the poor ( Lev 19:9 23:22 ).Īcknowedgment of the Lord's part in the harvest was important, perhaps best seen when crops failed, usually attributed to the Lord for the failure of Israel to recognize God's part ( Isa 17:11 Amos 4:7 Hag 1:6 ). If a person brought them, then the Lord might accept them ( Lev 23:10-11 ), an acceptance perhaps reflected in the successful completion of the harvest in the fall, a "blessing" ( Deut 24:19 Psalm 107:37-38 ). The firstfruits came to the priest, who would offer them to the Lord. Of course, great joy accompanied the harvest ( Isa 9:3 ). Even during harvest, the Sabbath rest was to be kept so that the focus would remain on the Lord ( Exod 34:21-22 ). But the focus in harvest revolved around the product and the work of the Lord in bringing it to completion. The Festival of Booths fell at the end of harvest in the fall.įarmers needed to do their part in planting to be able to reap ( Prov 6:8 ). The Festival of Harvest or firstfruits came in the spring, fifty days after Passover ( Exod 23:16 ). At least two festivals focused on harvest. Offerings came from the fullness of one's harvest ( Exod 22:29 ). In an agrarian society such as that reflected in the Bible, a human response to God came with planting and reaping. God stands in control of the harvest time it is part of his work ( Jer 5:24 Amos 4:7 ). Jesus reflects the Bible's theological viewpoint on harvest when he enjoins believers to ask the "Lord of the harvest" for laborers ( Matt 9:38 ). The gathering of things planted, a natural time of reaping in joy what has been produced during the year in an agricultral community.
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