Topical Encyclopedia Agriculture, the cultivation of the land for the production of food and other crops, is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting its central role in the lives of the people of ancient Israel. The Scriptures emphasize that God is to be acknowledged in all aspects of agricultural life, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of provision and blessing.Divine Ownership and Provision The Bible begins with the assertion of God's ownership of the earth and everything in it. Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This foundational truth establishes that all agricultural produce ultimately belongs to God, and humans are stewards of His creation. In the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were reminded of God's provision through the practice of offering the firstfruits of their harvest. Exodus 23:19 instructs, "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God." This act of bringing the first and best of the harvest to God was a tangible acknowledgment of His sovereignty and generosity. Dependence on God for Success The success of agricultural endeavors is depicted in the Bible as being dependent on God's favor and blessing. In Deuteronomy 11:13-15 , God promises the Israelites that if they obey His commandments, He will provide rain for their land in its season, ensuring bountiful harvests: "So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil." Conversely, disobedience and idolatry are warned against, as they lead to drought and famine. In Haggai 1:10-11 , the prophet explains the consequences of neglecting God's house: "Therefore, because of you, the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands." Agriculture as a Metaphor for Spiritual Truths Agricultural imagery is frequently used in the Bible to convey spiritual truths. Jesus often employed parables involving seeds, soil, and harvests to illustrate the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), Jesus describes different types of soil representing the varied responses to the Word of God, emphasizing the importance of a receptive heart for spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul also uses agricultural metaphors to describe the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 , he 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." This passage underscores the necessity of divine intervention for spiritual fruitfulness, paralleling the dependence on God for physical harvests. Sabbath and Jubilee: Rest and Restoration The principles of Sabbath and Jubilee, as outlined in Leviticus 25, further highlight the acknowledgment of God in agriculture. Every seventh year, the land was to observe a Sabbath rest, during which it was not to be sown or harvested. This practice served as a reminder of God's provision and the need for trust in His sustenance. The Year of Jubilee, occurring every fiftieth year, was a time of restoration, where land was returned to its original owners and debts were forgiven. Leviticus 25:23 states, "The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me." This regulation reinforced the concept of God's ultimate ownership and the temporary stewardship of His people. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, agriculture is presented as an area where God's presence and provision are to be acknowledged. From the offering of firstfruits to the observance of Sabbath years, the Scriptures consistently point to the necessity of recognizing God's hand in the sustenance and success of agricultural endeavors. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 5:24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that gives rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Nave's Topical Index Hosea 2:8 Library Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception of ... Shakers, or the United Society of Believers. Titus i. 4-Jan In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ... On the Ten Points of Doctrine. From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ... Herod and Peter. The Baptism of Jesus: Its Higher Meaning. Final Perseverance The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. 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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