Topical Bible: Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, often Blasted Because of Sin

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Agriculture, a fundamental aspect of ancient and modern societies, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a source of sustenance and blessing. However, the Scriptures also depict instances where agricultural produce is adversely affected due to the sinfulness of the people. This theme underscores the relationship between human obedience to God and the prosperity of the land.

Divine Blessing and Curse

The Bible often links the fertility of the land to the spiritual state of its inhabitants. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Verses 1-4 promise abundant blessings, including fruitful harvests, for those who obey God's commandments: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth... The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock..." (Deuteronomy 28:1-4).

Conversely, verses 15-18 warn of curses, including agricultural failure, for disobedience: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you... The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land..." (Deuteronomy 28:15-18).

Prophetic Warnings and Fulfillment

The prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah that their sin would lead to agricultural devastation. In Haggai 1:10-11, the prophet explains that the people's neglect of God's house resulted in a drought: "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..." (Haggai 1:10-11).

Similarly, in Joel 1:10-12, the prophet describes the desolation of the land due to the people's sin: "The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the olive oil fails. Despair, you farmers, wail, you vine growers; grieve for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field is destroyed" (Joel 1:10-12).

Restoration and Repentance

Despite the dire consequences of sin, the Bible also offers hope for restoration through repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, God promises healing for the land if His people turn back to Him: "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).

The theme of agricultural produce being blasted because of sin serves as a powerful reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It highlights the importance of obedience and the consequences of turning away from divine commandments, while also offering the hope of redemption and restoration through sincere repentance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:10
Yes, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook