The Lord is talking about something the Israelites knew very well, because in the past, people generally lived off agriculture. In some places, other professions were developed, but even so, cultivating the land was the main means of subsistence. They knew that in order to produce well, the soil had to be tilled and, in some cases, plowed. Today, the same is done, only with modern technology, using appropriate machinery. Then the harvest comes.

Farmers are experts at preparing the land for sowing, which is often done by hand, using yoke of oxen. When Elisha was found by Elijah, he was plowing the land with 12 yokes of oxen. This shows that Elisha's family was prosperous: So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him (1 Kings 19.19).

The figurative language used in the highlighted verse indicates that the Israelites' faith was contaminated by sin, to the point that Hosea says they were plowing wickedness – a land that would not produce what they wanted. Those who use wickedness as a basis for sowing will reap sorrow and disappointment. Those who sow in the Land of Promise will have the constant help of the Most High (Leviticus 26.5; 2 Corinthians 9.10). With such promises, never turn away from the harvest!

A bad harvest is compared to wickedness. Now, there are several factors to be observed for good planting, such as the regularity of the rain, the right time to sow and taking care of the plants when they begin to sprout and develop. Every seed will germinate according to its species, not according to the farmer's wishes. The soil always gives back much more than it was given (Galatians 6.8). Be careful what you plant!

The prophet says that the Israelites' mistake was to trust in their own ways and not in the revelation of God's Word. Whoever does not live in the presence of the Lord will never have a good harvest. Our ways are not those of the Most High, which is why they produce faulty fruit (Isaiah 55.8,9). People who give their heavenly Father the right to teach them what, when and how to do will never stumble when they hear bad news. Whatever a man sows, that shall he reap (Galatians 6.7).

To make matters even more complicated, the Israelites trusted their mighty men. Now, a mighty man without God is worth less than a boy with Him. Look at the example of David, who, with faith in the Lord, faced the giant. No man in Israel was capable of defeating the Philistine. But a boy who believed in the Lord with all his heart offered himself up and came back with the victory (1 Samuel 17.23-54). So, it will be with anyone who believes in what God speaks to his heart.

Anyone who doesn't live in the presence of God will eat the fruit of lies, which neither satisfy nor produce good results. To trust in one's own way is to declare that one will not be helped; after all, what man has to help is vain, unproductive, and therefore nothing good will come of it (Proverbs 3.1-8). Let the Holy Spirit guide you in relation to what has been said about you in Heaven. Then you will be a blessing!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares