BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES. Israel’s rebellion against the law of God resulted in their being carried away into slavery in the land of Babylon where they spent seventy years. With their harps hung upon the willow, their enemies taunted, scorned and despised them, asking them to sing unto them the song of Zion. God again turned the captivity of Israel, that is, He “brought the exiles back to Zion” after He had touched the heart of Cyrus and a decree concerning their restoration and return was made. Immediately, their sorrow was gone like a dream and joy that ensured was unbelievable when they remembered that the restoration was a national one. However, many, despite the proclamation of freedom, still remained in Babylon. The joy of those that returned to Zion was not complete because of those that stayed back in Babylon. What a lesson for us! Today, there is great and general captivity of mankind under sin, Satan, self and death. God has proclaimed liberty to everyone on earth through the redemption purchased by the atoning death of Christ at Calvary. God, through Christ, has done everything necessary to reconcile man with Him (John 3: 16). Salvation of every sinner is no more to be delayed any longer, “…Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6: 2). But how many, despite the goodness, love and mercy of God still linger and perish in sin and go into hell either because of their unbelief or desire to enjoy the pleasure of sin! When we, as believer, are happy that God, through faith in the finished work of Christ, liberated us from the power and the consequences of sin, those around us that have not appropriated the atoning sacrifice of Christ should bother our hearts. We are to go forth in tears to sow the precious seed of the Word of God in the hearts of our fellow men. As the rain falls, the farmer clears the bush, tills the ground before sowing the seed; and as a woman travails and her child is born, the believers whose eyes are opened to see the doom awaiting sinners and backsliders must weep over them and labour to bring them into the kingdom of God. The command is that every member of the body of Christ should go forth like the sower goes forth. The result of our parting with the precious Word of God sown into the hearts of men is noteworthy. We shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us, “lift up your eyes, and look on the field; for they are white already to harvest”, says Jesus Christ (John 4: 35).
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:33:00 +0000
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