Topical Bible: The Harvest: Failure of Sometimes Continued for Years

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The concept of harvest is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual truths. However, the Bible also addresses the sobering reality of failed harvests, which sometimes persisted for years, serving as a divine instrument of judgment, a call to repentance, or a test of faith.

Biblical Instances of Failed Harvests

1. Famine in Egypt (Genesis 41:27-30): One of the most notable instances of a prolonged failure of harvest is the seven-year famine in Egypt, as interpreted by Joseph from Pharaoh's dreams. "The seven lean, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine" (Genesis 41:27). This famine was divinely revealed and served as a means to elevate Joseph to a position of leadership, ultimately preserving the lineage of Israel.

2. Drought in the Time of Elijah (1 Kings 17:1): The prophet Elijah declared a drought over Israel as a direct consequence of the nation's idolatry under King Ahab. "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word'" (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasted for three and a half years, emphasizing the connection between spiritual apostasy and physical calamity.

3. Judgment on Israel (Leviticus 26:19-20): The Mosaic Covenant included warnings of agricultural failure as a consequence of disobedience. "I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, so that your strength will be spent in vain; for your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit" (Leviticus 26:19-20). This passage underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where faithfulness would bring blessing, and rebellion would result in hardship.

Theological Implications

The failure of harvests in the biblical context often served as a divine response to human actions, particularly disobedience and idolatry. These events were not merely natural occurrences but were imbued with spiritual significance, calling the people back to a covenantal relationship with God. The prolonged nature of some of these failures highlights the severity of divine judgment and the urgent need for repentance.

Spiritual Lessons

1. Dependence on God: Failed harvests remind believers of their dependence on God for provision. In times of abundance, it is easy to forget the source of all blessings. Prolonged hardship serves as a humbling reminder of human frailty and the necessity of divine grace.

2. Call to Repentance: Just as the prophets called Israel to return to God during times of drought and famine, believers are reminded to examine their own lives for areas of unfaithfulness. The failure of harvests can be a catalyst for spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to God's commandments.

3. Hope and Restoration: Despite the severity of judgment, the biblical narrative consistently points to the hope of restoration. God's ultimate desire is not to punish but to bring His people back into a right relationship with Him. The promise of future harvests and blessings is contingent upon repentance and faithfulness.

In summary, the failure of harvests, sometimes extending over years, serves as a profound biblical motif illustrating the consequences of disobedience, the call to repentance, and the hope of restoration. These events are not merely historical but carry enduring spiritual lessons for believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 45:6
For these two years has the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be ripening nor harvest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"The Great Awakening. "
... generally due to some special calamity, as sickness, failure of harvest, ill-fortune ...
Sometimes, however, the zeal of a devoted minister would kindle counter ...
/.../chapter ix the great awakening.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... affected to their cause that he has been sometimes, though erroneously ... its evil
influence; the defeat of a general, the failure of a harvest, the overflowing ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... The distant regions explored by Hatshopsitu continued to pay ... they could so far forget
the failure of their ... or those of Abimilki to Pharaoh, sometimes there is ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Enduring to the End
... of years, there was little or no failure in mind. ... achieved, he knew how to reap the
harvest which had ... Sometimes she will bully him back; she will persecute him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... reminder to the feeble band of the failure of their ... half finished, with sentences
half finished sometimes, where the ... two to be glad over the harvest instead of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

Cheer Up, My Comrades!
... men of two and five talents do not sometimes bury theirs ... thrive, for better men than
you have wept over failure. ... long as there does but come a harvest, I will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/cheer up my comrades.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... field of labor, but the enterprise proved a failure. ... which had been secretly working,
and sometimes venting itself in ... be the first-fruits of a harvest of souls ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... And have we not sometimes witnessed instances which, so ... of years, but whose end was
a miserable failure! ... consider the abundance of the harvest"the glowing ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... All the delegates were convinced of the utter failure of the ... I sometimes lose faith
in men, but I will not ... did our fathers, and so will God give the harvest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

India as Carey Found It
... over a barrenness of soul, and am sometimes much discouraged ... prevent famine by allowing
relief for failure of crops ... But the way for the harvest now being reaped ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm