Sowing “GOD’s Seed and (reaping from It)
The Bible if filled with symbolism, metaphors, idioms, unreal concepts, euphemisms and aphorisms. I would say, the favorite (or wider used) is the idiom. My current research swirls around sowing and reaping. It is a joint concept that has two areas of effort made “one.” I hope to explain maybe some areas I found interesting and how they relate to the Agrarian (farming) society known as Israel.
Sowing (Biblically of course) is used as necessary portrayal for how our actions, words, and faith produce future results. Although sowing originates from agricultural laws established at creation, it is primarily used to describe spiritual laws of cause and effect.
Sowing (casting or planting seed) is viewed as VERY intentional, which in a farmer’s life—a deliberate act of planting a future. Reaping is inevitable from that intentional act. Biblically and even today, it is the future eventually returning to the Sower.
I wanted to investigate the principle of sowing, the purpose of sowing and wide-angle view of scattering/spreading seed in the agrarian (agricultural) environment of the Hebrew Israel. I was pondering on the reasoning Yeshua’s Father wanted Him to share the parable of the Sower and Reaper and how it relates to the expanse of the Word of GOD and invitation of the nations. Today is the day. …I suppose.
When the earth was created, seeds were planted, trees and plants were placed in their environments and the eco system was placed for their purposes. All of that is part of the Biblical law of sowing. The reaping is what we get to see eventually. It is coming. That is the process the Creator set up from the beginning.
The Bible establishes that what you "plant" today determines what you will "harvest" tomorrow.
In Scripture, GOD is the ultimate Sower. When people sow through our choices and actions, and the LORD GOD is the final Reaper, though He also appoints human laborers to reap in His harvest.
The picture description of GOD as the final Sower and Reaper is rooted in Scripture, where sowing and reaping are symbols for spiritual work, evangelism, and the harvest of souls.
In the Parable of the Sower as seen in Luke 8:5–8, Yeshua identified the Sower as the Son of Man (Matthew 13:30). It makes sense because, the One Who plants the Seed of the Word of GOD is a representative of His Mission’s Plan. The Seed Itself is GOD’s Word, and the Sower (Himself) is giving all who follow the method in which to accomplish the process. The humans will be walking in His Authority, when we function in His will. (see also Matthew 13:3–9 & Mark 4:3–9).
In the Scriptures, (at least) three “sowers” are shown to the reader. I overlooked and missed them as being considered as “sowers.”
The Word is clear, GOD is a (The) Sower, and Yeshua explicitly identifies His Father (or the Son of Man) as the One Who sows the Good Seed in the world.
In the Parable of the Weeds, “the One Who sows the Good Seed is the Son of Man.” Matthew 13:37 is undoubtedly showing us the Father is at work. It all starts with Him. What is He sowing and planting? …righteousness, Truth, and His people in the world.
It matters not who we are, we people are sowing as well. We choose to do what we are going to do (sowing). Scripture repeatedly teaches that humans sow through their actions, choices, and character. Don’t get sucked into the notion that only the followers of GOD can put seeds in places to grow later. We ALL reap what we have sown. It matters not if it is evil or of GOD.
“…a man reaps what he sows.”—Galatians 6:7
Do you recall that “sowing” can be to the flesh (corruption) AND to the Spirit (life)? —Galatians 6:8
The Word is clearer still, concerning Israel. That nation as a whole (even though it is not fully whole again)—yet it was formed and set as teachers and showers the nations how to sow.
Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) verbally explains that anyone who spreads the Word of the kingdom is sowing. Paul gives added info on this in 1 Corinthians 3:6. There is NO way one can sow without a reaping coming later down the road. Consider how you treat people. Consider the lies or truths you and I have spread. A reaping will be collected.
Who will do the reaping? Train and set your mind to see GOD as the final Reaper.
In John 4:36–38, Yeshua says:
“…and he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. In this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor”
Here, Jesus affirms that the reaping of souls is part of GOD’s work. Likewise, the “Reaper” is sent by GOD, and the harvest belongs to Him. The ‘others’ who have labored refer to those who have sown before, showing that GOD’s work is continuous and a willing collective.
Once again, we see humans getting involved in this same work. We are laborers in GOD’s harvest is a sizeable deal. If we look to John 4:36–38 again, it shows that while GOD IS THE greatest Sower and Reaper, He appoints human laborers to do the work. The followers are sent to reap “that for which we have not labored,” meaning we are not the original Sowers but are part of GOD’s ongoing harvest effort.
We find in the Galatians 6:7–9 admonishment that, “whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.” This is a continuation of a short reference from above. Paul is emphasizing that human choices and actions have consequences, but the ultimate reaping is in GOD’s hands.
An interesting fact that two of the minor (small) profit’s Books—Hosea 10:12 and Amos 9:13 talk about sowing and reaping as well. Does that seem weird to you? Both describe GOD’s justice and blessing. …also interesting. Each of them speaks to the LORD GOD as the One Who sends righteousness and gathers the harvest.
What is your part’s effort in this process that EVERY person wittingly does? The Bible sees sowing as intentional. Which means (to me), whether I do or don’t, I am making a choice to invest in what I desire to receive back from those actions. There is balance here.
Scripture does tell us that sowing generously leads to a generous harvest, while sowing sparingly leads to a meager one (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). ← Let us not make this ALL ABOUT money. Okay?
When we measure this in faith, we find that faith itself is compared to a tiny mustard seed that, when planted and nurtured, can move mountains and grow into something great. Saying that, in the Hebrew Agrarian cultural tradition, “sowing seed” was not merely a practical act of planting, but a Covenantal and Law practice that is very much tied to GOD’s provision, His justice, and the extent of life—we can call this righteousness. It is the realm the King operates within.
After learning the specific agricultural process(es) of the region from the Canaanites (they disobediently) allowed to live, the Israelites saw their land as GOD’s gift (Lev. 25:23) and structured their farming life around a cyclical agricultural year marked by seasons, Festivals, and GOD’s associative promises. You can find some good information in the JewishEncyclopedia.com. That is a GREAT reference for ‘stuff’.
When we look at the lifestyle of the Israelite Tribes of the Scriptures, you will not have to look very far or long to realize how GOD wove in the Principles and purpose in that Agrarian setting. He was very intentional in not only where He placed them, but their livelihood as well. How they were to live, and love and survive was specified, so the Principles (Laws, etc.,) were not ever made-up thoughts—especially from their neighbors. They came from the GOD Who led them there and planted them in THAT soil.
Every manner in which they were to live was woven directly into the soil, the seasons, and the Covenantal life of the ENTIRE people, and those who chose to live among them (ger) who were not of the Tribes.
NOTE: The land itself was a teacher, shaping Israel’s ethics, worship, economy, and identity. Look at each Feast!
I can see how being farmers was Covenantal trust. Sowing was an act of faith. Every cycle was an all-out trust of GOD that He would provide the rains, fertile soil, and a subsequent timely harvest.
NOTE: this thing called “obedience” to His Laws brought blessings & disobedience, it also brought drought or famine, as listed in Deuteronomy 28:1–24. If you are curious to learn more, here is a teaser that is actually written all throughout the ENTIRE Bible. Yep…in other the 29 Books as well.
The agricultural cycle governed Festivals like Passover (spring barley harvest), Shavuot (wheat harvest), and Sukkot (harvest thanksgiving), which also reinforced community identity and justice (e.g., gleaning for the poor).
NOTE: The JewishEncyclopedia.com can help with added details as well.
NOTE: He required them to allow the Land to rest, so it can be renewed, and likewise they would be too. This was a direct connection to the Sabbatical (7th year) and Jubilee (50th year). The Laws of Torah mandated letting the land rest, symbolizing GOD’s sovereignty and the need for periodic restoration.
NOTE: We too need to do the same, as GOD wants to renew us for the work week ahead. Sabbaths are IMPORTANT. OBEYING Them is a BIG deal!
However, beyond the farming realm, sowing was a metaphor for GOD’s Work in the world. The hope of the Hebrews’ Mission was not confined to Canaan; as seen in the many Books of the prophets and beefed up in later Jewish thought. It ALL accentuated that GOD’s blessing and His Word would extend beyond Israel’s borders.
The Land as a sign is also a big deal. The promise of Canaan (Heaven, Bulah and Promised) Land was tied to GOD’s Covenant, but the prophets often spoke of GOD’s Presence and blessing reaching “the nations”—Isa. 2:2–4 & Micah 4:1–3
NOTE: The “invitation of the nations” has MANY similarities of the Sower’s call to all who see the Seed. It did not matter if they were in the fertile plains or the arid highlands. This Seed (His Son) will always offer life, justice, and restoration.
What specifically is Yeshua wanting His followers to know and understand concerning sowing Seed? Did He use a contrast or juxtaposition in that explanation? There is always CONTRAST. If you are looking, you will see it in Yeshua’s Teaching on Sowing Seed (the parables and elsewhere).
…revisiting Yeshua’s parable of the Sower. He talks about a Sower (GOD, His Israeli people and the nations) scattering Seed to illustrate how the Words of GOD are received and responded to by different people. The “Seed” IS the Word of the Kingdom, and the “soils” represent the condition of the heart toward that Word that is heard.
We people often struggle with hearing without understanding (path). What happens here is the Word is snatched away by the Satan before it takes root.
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We people often struggle with joyful reception without roots being formed (rocky ground). This means in the beginning, we are delighted with the Word, but no lasting change takes place; faith withers under trial.
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We people often struggle with allowing this Word and our joy to be choked by worldly concerns (thorns). This means, the Word is present but overgrown by worries, wealth, and desires, making it unfruitful.
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We people often struggle with receiving the Word internally and bearing fruit (good soil). We want to see fruit immediately when we have heard the Word. However, it is after we begin to understand the Word and THAT begins the production of the fruit we desire.
Yeshua uses juxtaposition to highlight the differences between the soils. He does this by placing the good soil (fruitful) directly opposite the path, rocky, and thorny soils (unfruitful). This act shows that the same Seed can produce vastly different outcomes depending on the heart’s condition.
The contrast is between a shallow, meaningless and often temporary response versus the deep, lasting reaction — it sheds light on the differences between spiritual barrenness and spiritual abundance.
Every single passage of the parable works “together” to form and illuminate the whole (broad spectrum) of His Teaching on sowing Seed. What does it do? This style of sharing shows both the picture and Yeshua’s direct explanation for using it. …being a farming community, they GOT IT!
If you and I are watching and listening, we will notice that Yeshua’s Teaching on sowing Seed (GOD’s and natural food) calls for true followers to recognize that the Word’s impact depends on the heart’s receptivity, to avoid spiritual barrenness, and to cultivate themselves as “good soil” so the Word can produce abundant fruit.
He uses clear contrast (and a level of juxtaposition) between fertile and barren soils to drive home THE Point.