Play

The Parable of the Plowman

Wayne Galloway
11/29/20 - Sunday Morning Worship

The Parable of the Plowman

Isa. 28:23-29

 

Introduction:

 

1.  Like many parables, if read in isolation, this parable is an enigma.  It is a mystery.  What does it mean?

2.  But as we have observed CONTEXT is everything!  So we ask, “What is the context of this parable?” and “What is it saying to those of Isaiah’s generation?”  and “What is its meaning for us?”

 

Discussion:

 

I.  The parable is set in an ancient agricultural setting.

 

    A.  It does not mention tractors and combines so familiar to us today.  Instead it

         mentions the threshing sledge and the cart.

    B.  Some knowledge of the agricultural practices of the time period will help us

         understand the parable.

         1.  A threshing sledge is a rectangular wooden plank designed to separate grain from

              the chaff.  See the John Beck video for a description at

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6CxzZvkUtA. (click here or copy and past

              into your browser).

         2.  The ancient farmer prepared the soil for planting—turning the soil, harrowing the

              ground to break up the clods and level the surface.

         3.  He planted various crops in their place.

              a.  On the website https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill it says, “Sow dill seeds

                   about ¼ inch deep and 18 inches apart.  After 10-14 days, young dill plants

                   should appear in the soil.  Wait another 10-14 days, then thin the plants to

                   about 12-18 inches apart.”  Dill seeds are relatively small.

              b.  Cumin is in the parsley family and is grown for its seed.  It is one of the most

                   popular spices in the world.  The seeds are planted ¼ inch deep every 4-8

                   inches and spaced in rows about 18 inches apart.

              c.  We are more familiar with the grain crops:  wheat, barley and rye.

              d.  The farmer must be knowledgeable about the different plants.  The time they

                   are planted, soil preparation, etc. are all critical.  He must know how and when

                   to harvest.  Everything must be coordinated with the climate, soil temperature,

                   when the rains come, etc. are all critical to the process.  How to harvest and

                   process the crop in a timely way determines success or failure.

         4.  It was considered in the nation of Israel that all such information came

              from God (Isa. 28:26).

         5.  Such knowledge was critical as was the timing of the various processes (Isa.

              28:27-28).  Thresh the wheat too long and you would crush the grain.  Dill was too

              small to be threshed with a threshing sledge.  It would be like taking a 30 foot

                   combine head into your vegetable garden.

              6.  All of this agricultural knowledge comes from the Lord (Isa. 28:29).

       C.  “Well, I still don’t understand the parable!”  Patience.  Patience.

 

II.  Understanding the religio-political setting of Judea and Jerusalem is even more important to understanding the Parable then understanding the agricultural setting.

 

      A.  Isa. 1:1 identifies that Isaiah is speaking to Judah and Jerusalem, during the reigns

           of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

      B.  Chapter 1 describes Judah as sons of God who have revolted against God’s

            instructions.  “They do not understand.”  They are spiritually sick and separated

            from God.  God calls them to Himself with a gracious pleading, but they are

            insensitive.  Their ears are dull.  Their eyes are dim.  There is no understanding in

            their hearts (Isa. 6:9-10) and time is running out before the consequences of their

            rebellion overtake them (Isa. 6:11-13).

      C.  The book of Isaiah alternates between condemnation for sin and promises of

           healing for those who take hold of the gracious provision made by God.

           1.  This was Isaiah’s message.

           2.  He had experienced it personally (Isa. 6:1-7).

                a.  He was ruined because of his sin.

                b.  Purified by God, his iniquity was taken and his sin forgiven.

                c.  And so, he went to God’s people with the message of what he had

                    experienced.

           3.  Chapter 24 reminds of the judgment of God against sin (1-6).

           4.  Chapter 25 reminds of the lavish blessings that God has prepared for His people. 

                He has prepared a magnificent banquet for them.  Chapters 26-27 speak of His

                protection and deliverance.

           5.  Chapter 28 opens with warning (1-4).  Even then He communicates through

                stammering lips and foreign tongues to bring order and rest to the weary (11-12). 

                BUT they will not listen.

           6.  The Lord has plans for deliverance (16) so Isaiah says, “Do not carry on as

                scoffers or your fetters will be made stronger; for I have heard from the God of

                hosts of decisive destruction on all the earth” (22).  God’s judgment is on the

                horizon for those who are unrepentant.

 

III.  Now hear the parable and understand its meaning.

 

      A.  Like the farmer God moves deliberately to accomplish His work.

           1.  He is timely in His accomplishments.

           2.  He does not continually plow or thresh.  He moves from one activity to another.

           3.  He moves toward the harvest.  He moves toward His productive goal.

           4.  As the farmer plows and plants according to the nature of the grain and then

                threshes according to wisdom so God operates according to wisdom to

                accomplish His purpose (cf. Acts 2:22-23, 30, 36; Gal. 4:4).

        B.  What does this mean for Judah and the people of Isaiah’s day?

              1.  God’s plan is moving forward.

              2.  There will be judgment against those rebelling against this plan.  It is time to

                   turn to the Lord and align oneself with the plan.

              3.  Babylon would become a powerful and dominating military force.  Ultimately

                   Judah would be enveloped (see Isa. 39).  Her treasures would be carried away

                   to Babylon.

              4.  But God was still at work and would ultimately establish His kingdom (Isa. 2). 

                   Isa. 28:16 reminds us of the costly cornerstone that God had selected to build

                   His house upon.  Peter identifies this as Christ in 1 Pet. 2:6.  Cf. Matt. 16:18;

                   Eph. 2:20.

              5.  So like a farmer God is at work executing His plan.  Moving forward in wisdom

                   according to the appropriate timing.  He will accomplish His plan.

 

IV.  What does this mean to us?

 

      A.  Many of the N.T. images now take on new more dynamic meaning.  While the

           images are mixed and provide no definite chronological implications they are

           reflective of the plan and the movement of God through history.

           1.  “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing

                floor and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with

                unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:12).

           2.  “You are God’s field” (1 Cor. 3:5-9).

           3.  The parable of the sower (Lk. 8:4ff).

           4.  The parable of the landowner (Matt. 21:33ff).

           5.  God’s plan is moving toward the harvest.

     B.  We do not know how far along in the crop year we are, but we do know that it is

           time to plant and water and allow for growth (cf. 1 Cor. 3:5-9).

     C.  Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His

          work—look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (Jn. 4:34).  “The harvest is

          plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to sent

          out workers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38).

     D.  God does have a plan.

          1.  He is working for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

          2.  The plan is moving ahead. 

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  Are you in alignment with God’s plan?

2.  We need to first be aligned with His plan and then we need to work to bring others into alignment with it.

3.  So the message of this parable defines both our personal relationship to God’s plan and our mission as we plant and water and look forward to the Master’s harvest.