Ingatherings, in the biblical context, refer primarily to the agricultural festivals and practices associated with the harvest seasons in ancient Israel. These events were not only significant for their economic and agricultural implications but also held deep spiritual and religious meaning, as they were times of thanksgiving and celebration of God's provision.

Biblical References and Significance

The concept of ingatherings is most prominently associated with the Feast of Ingathering, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. This festival is mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament. In Exodus 23:16 , it is written: "You are to celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field, and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field." This verse highlights the dual nature of the agricultural cycle, with the Feast of Harvest marking the beginning and the Feast of Ingathering marking the end.

The Feast of Ingathering was celebrated at the end of the agricultural year, typically in the seventh month (Tishrei) of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to late September to October. It was a time when the people of Israel gathered the produce of their fields, vineyards, and orchards, offering thanks to God for His abundant blessings. Leviticus 23:39-43 provides further instructions: "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you are to celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days. The first day is a Sabbath rest, and the eighth day is also a Sabbath rest."

Spiritual and Theological Themes

The Feast of Ingathering was not merely an agricultural festival but also a profound spiritual event. It served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision throughout the year. The Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths or temporary shelters during this feast, as a commemoration of their ancestors' journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. This practice is detailed in Leviticus 23:42-43 : "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

The ingathering of crops symbolized the ingathering of God's people and His ultimate plan for redemption. The prophetic literature of the Old Testament often uses the imagery of harvest and ingathering to describe the eschatological hope of Israel. For instance, in Isaiah 27:12 , it is written: "In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one."

New Testament Connections

In the New Testament, the theme of ingathering is echoed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to describe the Kingdom of God and the final harvest of souls. In Matthew 9:37-38 , Jesus says to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."

The apostle Paul also draws on the imagery of ingathering in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 9:10 , he writes, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness." This passage emphasizes the spiritual harvest that results from faithful living and generosity.

Cultural and Historical Context

The practice of ingathering was deeply embedded in the agrarian culture of ancient Israel. The timing of the festivals was closely linked to the agricultural calendar, reflecting the dependence of the people on the land and the seasons. The ingathering festivals provided an opportunity for communal worship, reflection, and renewal of the covenant relationship with God.

In summary, ingatherings in the biblical sense encompass both the physical act of gathering crops and the spiritual act of gathering God's people. They serve as a reminder of God's provision, faithfulness, and the ultimate hope of redemption and restoration.

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... It was a prophetic type or picture which foreshadowed the triumphs of the day of
Pentecost and other seasons when the apostles had great ingatherings of souls ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxx jesus calls four fishermen.htm

A Revival Sermon
... 2. The promise then, seems to me to convey the idea of surprising ingatherings;
and I think there is also the idea of amazing rapidity. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a revival sermon.htm

The Second Awakening.
... towns in which, at that time, the main strength of the population lay, the labors
of faithful pastors began to be rewarded with large ingatherings of penitent ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

The Wedding Garment
... If, however, there is any one time when we may be quite sure that the King comes
in to see the guests, it is after large ingatherings from the world, for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

Ingatherings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ingatherings (1 Occurrence). Genesis 47:24 And
it shall come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall ...
/i/ingatherings.htm - 6k

In-gathering (3 Occurrences)
In-gathering. Ingathering, In-gathering. Ingatherings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Ingathering, In-gathering. Ingatherings . Reference Bible.
/i/in-gathering.htm - 7k

Ingenious (1 Occurrence)

/i/ingenious.htm - 7k

Four-fifths (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall give
a fifth unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field ...
/f/four-fifths.htm - 6k

Fifths (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall give
a fifth unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field ...
/f/fifths.htm - 6k

Fields (199 Occurrences)
... Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall give
a fifth unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field ...
/f/fields.htm - 37k

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