Topical Encyclopedia Agriculture, the practice of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock, is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual truths. The Bible presents agriculture as an endeavor that requires wisdom, diligence, and reliance on God's provision.Biblical Foundations From the beginning, agriculture is established as a divine ordinance. In Genesis 2:15 , God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and keep it," indicating that tending to the land is a God-given responsibility. This task requires wisdom, as it involves understanding the seasons, the soil, and the needs of various plants and animals. Wisdom in Agriculture The Book of Proverbs frequently associates wisdom with successful agricultural practices. Proverbs 24:27 advises, "Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you can build your house." This verse underscores the importance of planning and prioritizing agricultural tasks, reflecting a broader principle of wise stewardship. In Isaiah 28:24-26 , the prophet speaks of the farmer's wisdom: "Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. For his God instructs and teaches him properly." This passage highlights that successful farming is not merely a matter of technique but also of divine instruction and insight. Dependence on God Agriculture in the Bible is often depicted as an activity that necessitates dependence on God. The Israelites were reminded of this dependence through the agricultural calendar, which included festivals like the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrating God's provision (Exodus 23:16). The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-9 illustrates the spiritual dimension of agriculture, where the seed represents the Word of God, and the soil represents the hearts of people. Just as a farmer relies on God for rain and growth, so too must believers rely on God for spiritual growth and understanding. Diligence and Hard Work The Bible also emphasizes the necessity of hard work in agriculture. Proverbs 20:4 warns, "The sluggard does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there." This proverb teaches that laziness leads to lack, while diligence results in abundance. In the New Testament, Paul uses agricultural metaphors to describe the Christian life, encouraging believers to sow to the Spirit to reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-9). This metaphor reinforces the idea that just as a farmer must work diligently and wisely, so must Christians in their spiritual walk. Conclusion Agriculture in the Bible is a multifaceted theme that requires wisdom, diligence, and a deep reliance on God's provision. It serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating the principles of sowing and reaping, dependence on divine guidance, and the rewards of hard work. Through the lens of agriculture, the Bible imparts timeless lessons on stewardship, faith, and the pursuit of wisdom. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 28:26For his God does instruct him to discretion, and does teach him. Nave's Topical Index Library Commendation of those who came to Hear after Taking a Meal. ... The Germination of the Earth. Herod and Peter. Trials to be Met. Extracts No. vi. Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility Guilt of Neglecting the Heathen. Letter cxxxviii. (AD 412. ) Chapter iii Translated from Latin of Rufinus. Resources Topical: Biblical Culture ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.org Should we have a Christmas tree? | 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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