03-31-2019 - Fallow Ground

"Fallow Ground" - sometimes God needs to let us sit and be enriched… or to prove HE can meet our needs WITHOUT our intervention

In the Bible we see that the term “fallow ground” can refer to something ordained by God to PROVE HIS PROVISION, or it can refer to a SINFUL STATE of willful neglect of our Heart and Spiritual state...

Let us first tun in our Bibles to

Exodus 23:9–13 NLT

9 “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 10 “Plant and harvest your crops for six years, 11 but let the land be renewed and lie uncultivated during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest whatever grows on its own. Leave the rest for wild animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves. 12 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed. 13 “Pay close attention to all my instructions. You must not call on the name of any other gods. Do not even speak their names.

In the midst of God’s Directions on How the Nation of Israel were to operate in their day-to-day and year-to-year existence is this small gem - The Sabbatical Year.

Just as 1 Day in 7 was to be a Covenant Day of Rest (the Sabbath) - the NATION was directed to engage in a farming practice that was practically unheard of - They were allowed to till, plant and harvest for six years, but the 7th the Land was to lie fallow. Not only was it to lie fallow, but what grew naturally was to be completely given over to the Poor and the Animal Kingdom. This extended not only to the farms, but also to the vineyards and olive groves.

We know from modern science that one of the best methods of replenishing soils in heavy agricultural areas is to green manure (plan alpha or clover or other low cover product rich in nitrogen) and till it under then allow the ground to lie for a period of time - even a year or more.

This is a LESSON about ENRICHMENT as well as PROVING HIS PROVISION.

The Sabbatical Rest of the Land Required:

Faith. Do I trust that God’s Declarations - which seem odd, will result in what is promised? Will God Provide?

Obedience. Will I do as God Directs - or will I ignore His Directions and Proceed my way (Israel did just this and ultimately faced 490 years of judgment - Daniel’s 70 weeks)

Concern. Do I really want to participate in God’s Plan to Provide for the Poor and the Animal Kingdom?

At the end of every 6th year the choice of Faith, Obedience and Concern was front-and-center again.

God expects No Less from Us Today - We are to TRUST HIM, OBEY HIM and be CONCERNED for Others.

Is What God expected of Israel really so different than what He expects from Us?

We also see Fallow Ground as a SINFUL STATE of WILLFUL NEGLECT of the Things of the Lord, Let us Read in the Scriptures from:

Hosea 10:10–13 NLT

10 Now whenever it fits my plan, I will attack you, too. I will call out the armies of the nations to punish you for your multiplied sins. 11 “Israel is like a trained heifer treading out the grain— an easy job she loves. But I will put a heavy yoke on her tender neck. I will force Judah to pull the plow and Israel to break up the hard ground. 12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ 13 “But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies— trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe.

This is a Lesson about HARDENED HEARTS and IMPENDING JUDGMENT

Charles Finney - “Father of Modern Revivalism” - Lawyer, who at 29 years of age turned his Life over to Jesus Christ - He became Presbyterian Preacher in 1800’s - an evangelist who begged for the church to awaken to spiritual awareness

In a Message Series on Revival, He Lists Two groups of Sin -

Sins of Omission: Ingratitude, Lack of love toward God, Neglect of the Bible, Unbelief, Neglect of Prayer, Neglect of means of grace, Lack of feeling and concern, Lack of love for souls of fellow-men, Lack of care for the lost, Neglect of Family Duties, Neglect of Social Duties, Neglect of Watchfulness over your own Life, Neglect to watch over your brethren, Neglect of Self-Denial,

Sins of Commission: Wordly Mindedness; Pride; Envy; Bitterness; Improper Levity (Joking about Serious Matters); Lying; Cheating; Hypocrisy; Robbing God (squandered wealth and squandered time); Bad Temper, Hindering others from being useful

Challenge:

Once Again the Bible Tells us that “now is the Time to Seek the Lord” - Waiting - even one more minute may lead to our hearts and lives becoming so hardened that even when the Refreshing Rain of Heaven pours down, we have no ability to drink it in… Instead, we soak up only the Heat of Judgment and Doom.... Church - Seek Him Now, While You May!!!