Topical Encyclopedia Agriculture in biblical times was a fundamental aspect of daily life and a central theme throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, emphasizing the importance of laborers in the field of God's kingdom. The concept of "called laborers" in agriculture is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, highlighting the divine calling and responsibility of those who work in both physical and spiritual harvests.Biblical Context In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, agriculture was not only a means of sustenance but also a significant part of the cultural and religious life. The land was seen as a gift from God, and its cultivation was a divine mandate. Genesis 2:15 states, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse underscores the idea that labor in the field is a God-given duty. Spiritual Metaphors The New Testament frequently uses agricultural imagery to describe the work of God's kingdom. Jesus Himself employed such metaphors in His teachings. 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." Here, the "harvest" represents the gathering of souls into God's kingdom, and the "workers" are those called to spread the Gospel. The Role of Laborers The role of laborers in the biblical sense extends beyond physical toil to include spiritual endeavors. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 , Paul writes, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." This passage highlights the collaborative effort in God's work, where each laborer has a unique role, yet all are united in purpose. Divine Calling and Responsibility The calling of laborers is seen as a divine appointment. In John 4:35-36 , Jesus encourages His followers, "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together." This call to action emphasizes the urgency and importance of responding to God's call to labor in His fields. Old Testament Precedents The Old Testament also provides examples of called laborers. The account of Ruth, for instance, illustrates the blessings of diligent work and divine providence in the field. Ruth 2:2-3 recounts, "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.' 'Go ahead, my daughter,' Naomi replied. So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters." Ruth's labor in the fields ultimately leads to her becoming part of the lineage of David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of agriculture and laborers serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual truths embedded in everyday life. The call to labor in God's fields is both a privilege and a responsibility, reflecting the partnership between divine sovereignty and human effort in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 9:37Then said he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Nave's Topical Index Library Laymen Called to the Field of Missions. Trials to be Met. The Captivity of Judah. The Social Test of Religion From the Beginning of 1785 to the End of 1786 His Journey to South Russia. Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ... The General Conference of 1840 The General Conference of 1820 Resources Who was Tammuz? | GotQuestions.orgIs Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Sumerians? | GotQuestions.org Agriculture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by Allotments to Each Family Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by Separation from Other Nations Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Prohibition Against Usury Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Promises of God's Blessings On Agriculture or Farming was Promoted Amongst the Jews by The Rights of Redemption Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Donkey Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Horse Agriculture or Farming: Beasts Used in The Ox Agriculture or Farming: Climate of Canaan Favourable To Agriculture or Farming: Contributes to the Support of All Agriculture or Farming: Culture of the Church Agriculture or Farming: Culture of the Heart Agriculture or Farming: Diligence In, Abundantly Recompensed Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Against Injuring the Produce of Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Against the Trespass of Cattle Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Covet the Fields of Another Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Cut Down Crops of Another Agriculture or Farming: Enactments to Protect: Not to Move Landmarks Agriculture or Farming: Grief Occasioned by the Failure of the Fruits of Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Axe Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Cart Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Fan Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Flail Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Fork Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Harrow Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Mattock Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Plough Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Pruning-Hook Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Shovel Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Sickle Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Sieve Agriculture or Farming: Implements of The Teethed Threshing Instrument Agriculture or Farming: Man Doomed to Labour In, After the Fall Agriculture or Farming: Not to be Engaged in During the Sabbatical Year Agriculture or Farming: Often Performed by Hirelings Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Binding Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Digging Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Gathering out the Stones Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Gleaning Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Grafting Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Harrowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Hedging Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Manuring Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Mowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Planting Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Ploughing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Pruning Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Reaping Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Sowing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Stacking Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Storing in Barns Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Threshing Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Watering Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Weeding Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Winnowing Agriculture or Farming: Patriarchs Engaged In Agriculture or Farming: Peace Favourable To Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Husbandmen Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Labourers Agriculture or Farming: Persons Engaged In, Called: Tillers of the Ground Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, Exported Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, Given As Rent for Land Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, often Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture or Farming: Rendered Laborious by the Curse on the Earth Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Diligence Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Patience in Waiting Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Toil Agriculture or Farming: Requires: Wisdom Agriculture or Farming: Soil of Canaan Suited To Agriculture or Farming: The Cultivation of the Earth Agriculture or Farming: The Jews Loved and Followed Agriculture or Farming: The Labour of, Supposed to be Lessened by Noah Agriculture or Farming: The Occupation of Man Before the Fall Agriculture or Farming: The Providence of God to be Acknowledged in the Produce of Agriculture or Farming: War Destructive To Agriculture: Called Tiller of the Ground Agriculture: Divine Institution of Agriculture: Fruits Blasted Because of Sin Agriculture: God to be Acknowledged In Agriculture: Persons Engaged In, Called Husbandmen Agriculture: Planters of Vineyards, Exempted from Military Service Agriculture: Practiced by Cain Agriculture: Practiced by David Agriculture: Practiced by Elisha Agriculture: Practiced by Noah Agriculture: Practiced by Solomon Agriculture: Practiced by Uzziah Agriculture: Requires Diligence Agriculture: Requires Patience Agriculture: Sowing Wheat, But Reaping Thorns Related Terms Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences) |
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