Topical Bible: Agriculture: Fruits Blasted Because of Sin

◄ Agriculture: Fruits Blasted Because of Sin ►

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In the biblical narrative, agriculture serves as a vital component of life and sustenance, symbolizing both divine blessing and judgment. The concept of fruits being blasted or destroyed due to sin is a recurring theme, illustrating the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments.

Biblical Instances

1. Deuteronomy 28:22 · In the context of the blessings and curses pronounced upon Israel, God warns of agricultural devastation as a consequence of disobedience: "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish." Here, the destruction of crops is directly linked to the nation's failure to adhere to the covenant.

2. Haggai 2:17 · The prophet Haggai recounts God's chastisement of the people through agricultural failure: "I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew, and hail, yet you did not turn to Me, declares the LORD." This passage underscores the divine intention behind agricultural calamities as a call to repentance and a return to faithful worship.

3. Amos 4:9 · The prophet Amos delivers a similar message: "I struck you with blight and mildew; the locust devoured your many gardens and vineyards, your fig trees and olive trees, yet you have not returned to Me, declares the LORD." The repeated emphasis on agricultural destruction serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual state of the people.

Theological Implications

The blasting of fruits due to sin reflects the broader biblical principle that the land and its productivity are intimately connected to the spiritual condition of its inhabitants. In the Old Testament, the land of Israel is portrayed as a gift from God, contingent upon the people's faithfulness. When the Israelites stray from God's laws, the land itself suffers, manifesting the broken relationship between the Creator and His creation.

Symbolism and Lessons

The destruction of crops serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin. It illustrates the futility of human effort apart from divine blessing and the ultimate dependence of humanity on God's provision. The imagery of blasted fruits also acts as a prophetic warning, urging the people to recognize their transgressions and seek reconciliation with God.

Contemporary Reflections

For modern readers, these passages offer a sobering reminder of the spiritual dimensions of environmental and agricultural issues. They invite believers to consider the moral and ethical implications of their relationship with the land and to seek a harmonious balance that honors God's creation. The biblical narrative encourages a posture of humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to living in accordance with divine principles, recognizing that true prosperity is found in obedience to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 5:10
Yes, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
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Isaiah 7:23
And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand sliver coins, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
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Jeremiah 12:13
They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
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Joel 1:10,11
The field is wasted, the land mourns; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languishes.
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Library

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... to teach the boys the art of agriculture, and the ... heathen tribes of our wilderness
are partaking of its fruits. ... how often are all human expectations blasted! ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm