For most of us in urban or suburban America, harvest time is of little concern because in the complexity of our lives we are far removed from the actual production of our food supply. However, for the Hebrew people of the Bible, the “harvest” was a most important season, just like those that reside in agricultural areas today. In Genesis 8:22, the Lord insures the significance of this season for humanity; “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
The three principal feasts of the Jews corresponded to their three harvest seasons (Ex 23:16; 34:21-22).
1. The feast of the Passover in April is at the time of the barley harvest (Ruth 1:22)
2. The feast of Pentecost is 7 weeks after Passover, which is the wheat harvest (Ex 34:22).
3. The feast of Tabernacles is in the fall at the end of the Hebrew yearly calendar (October), which is the fruit harvest.
The first-fruits of these harvests were to be presented to Yahweh and used as a wave offering (Lev 23:9-14).
Figuratively speaking from the Old Testament, a destroyed harvest typified devastation or aspects of affliction (Job 5:5; Isa 16:9; 17:11; Jer 5:17; 50:16). The “time of harvest” frequently referenced a day of destruction (Jer 51:33; Hos 6:11; Joel 3:13); however, “Joy in harvest” typified great joy (Isa 9:3). A “harvest of the Nile” spoke of an abundant harvest (Isa 23:3), while “The harvest is past” meant that an appointed time or opportunity was gone (Jer 8:20).
In the New Testament Gospels, Jesus uses the Greek word “therismos” in a new context, referring to the harvest of souls. In Matthew 9:37-38, Christ speaks to His disciples, which is inclusive of us, concerning the need for laborers/workers who are available to gather His harvest — Then He said to His disciples:
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.
John 4:23 also speaks to our Lord’s harvest when He challenges all believers:
Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white (ready) for harvest.
According to Christ’s statement, the Gospel would be effective … very effective! Therefore, there would be a harvest of individuals that would need to be gathered! This need would be evident very soon and continue throughout the ages until our Lord comes and establishes His Kingdom on earth.
Christ explains the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30) in Matthew 13:36-43 in which He uses the word “harvest” in an extremely sad and dreadful context:
Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
May we have ears to hear! Which harvest will you be part of? –PF