The Harvest

Sharing from the Harvest
Genesis 25:1-26:35

"Isaac asked them, 'Why have you come to see me? You were my enemy and forced me to leave your country.' They answered, 'Now we know that the Lord is with you. Let us swear an oath to each other. Let us make an agreement with you that since we did not hurt you, you will not hurt us. We were good to you and sent you away in peace. Now the Lord has blessed you.' So Isaac prepared food for them, and they all ate and drank. Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left in peace." (Genesis 26:27-31)

A beautiful story of peace and reconciliation if I ever heard one. Isaac's enemies sent him away from his land because of his plentiful harvest. Recognizing their hasty decision, they appeal to him for forgiveness. It would've been easy for Isaac to hold a grudge on the people who threw him out on the street, but Isaac chooses the more excellent way- forgiveness. And not only does he forgive his enemies, but he prepares food for them out of his plentiful harvest and they all eat together- a veritable love feast. Sounds quite similar to Jesus' scripture on 'dinner with sinners.' Lord, help me to choose the path of forgiveness and generosity... abundantly giving both of these things to friends and enemies alike.

Giving from Your Harvest
Proverbs 3:9-10

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and the firstfruits from all your crops. Then your barns will be full, and your wine barrels will overflow with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Like one of my favorite childhood songs:
It's just like a magic penny
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it, spend it,
And you'll have so many.
They'll roll all over the floor.
For, love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

All of our wealth, our gifts, our time, our love are like 'magic pennies.' When given and shared with others, the blessings seems to overflow in their richness and abundance. Lord, show me how to best use this abundant harvest of blessings with which you have blessing me... I thank you for all the richness in this life that you have given me... for this beautiful day and all that it holds for me.

Workers of the Harvest
Matthew 9:18-38

"When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus said to his followers, 'There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them. Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that he will send more workers to gather his harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38)

A familiar passage but also very significant for many reasons. Here we are now talking about a different type of harvest, namely- people (the crowds who are hurting and helpless). The people need a shepherd and workers to gather them. And in this passage we are not directly asked to be that shepherd or worker (although similar directives appear in other places). Instead, we are asked to pray that God may send (or call out) workers/shepherds. Lord, still today Your children are like sheep without a shepherd, and I know that good workers are needed to gather Your harvest. I pray that you may send these workers... and if it be me, Lord, I pray that You help me to listen to how and where and when I may go about helping to tend Your sheep and gather in Your harvest.