Realm of the Harvest

Isaiah 17:5-7; Matthew 7:13-15; John 10:7-11

And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

Notice the valley of Rephaim being so very similar to that of the valley of the shadow of death in Psalm 23:4, having but a name for itself. Sometimes though a name is all that is required in the kingdom of Heaven. So often have some said it represents something and another the thing itself. Yet regardless of whether you know it or not or believe it or not, the valley is a powerful force for us all. Here we see that valley so long ago which really held some in dread and in fear for their lives. Yet how many of you believe that when you know the Lord, it matters not what any should say, do, or even think of you. It matters only what God has to say. For this cause then shall a man look to his Maker as seen in the text. I do not know about you, but the trials of life seem ever so small when your founder and maker is God. Perhaps some might have heard of that holy city being let down out of Heaven prepared as a bride for her husband. See the Maker as the most powerful one of all to be seen of Revelation 21:2-3. God has an awful lot of names for himself in his Word. All of which define him, but of course, they are all true. For they tell of his power and his doings in various shapes and at various times. See him in John 1:1 revealed as the Word. But here is he is known as the Maker. It seems then that the Maker has made a lot of things, not just you and me.

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

Just as he has made us, so too there lies therein the certainty of the harvest. Before we see that though, we must first visit the valley. Might well you wonder then why it speaks of that valley. Surely, this is hardly an attractive thing as one might think. So too is it hardly a nice place to dwell, regardless of who inhabits it. Yet sometimes the valley can be a metaphor. Perhaps you might have heard what that is, a comparison between two things. For instance, as pilgrims sojourn in this weary world below, traveling on their way to God, some might happen to come by it. You know, when times have gotten hard how these things are. Here does the time of the harvest appear just after a timing of need. How often do we sing 'come by here Lord,' but do we really, truly mean it. As in times of old, the Lord might really come on down by. But then would he be welcomed of us and would he like what he sees.

Speaking of repentance in the singular, it brings to mind the sins for which Rephiam was once judged. See, Scripture speaks of it as often in league with the Philistines who once hid there from David and his men. Might well have they had right to be though, for all the things that had once happened. How God had raised them of this valley up from the dust. On first glimpse of the valley, it sits near the edge of the desert right before Mount Sinai, where the law was once given. How the law had once demanded payment as blood answered for blood, yet Christ spoke for them all, a better word even than that of Abel, the innocent though once slain by Cain. He answered the price and paid with his blood. So, it seems too that this valley has shifted. I can almost hear it now as the centuries ring with his praise. You might not know it just yet. Yet so they do from just what he has done.

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

What a difference if makes between a revered him and the ruffians kept ever so well in the text. When they revered him, they lived under the law in mortal fear for their lives. Are such seen sheltering the Philistines as enemies of God's people later in the text. But now that they have of themselves fallen and God brought them back do they want no more. These same such do hunger, and thirst no more and so do they have the kingdom of Heaven. It is nice to see that after the pain, the struggle, and the heartache, something else should appear. It is even of those ways in the desert and streams in dry lands that they would not believe were it told them. For such had not been seen by any before. As it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the" wonders "God hath prepared for them that love him." It is just who he is of 1 Corinthians 2:9 my friends. For only God could bring about the shift.

Yet he sends forth his laborers in their season, even when the time of harvest has come. Notice the word harvestman. It might feel like you are working all alone, as just one man for the Lord. Even so, might you be one among many, whether early or late in the day, hired to work for the Lord. Regardless, he pays his workers well, does he not. When it comes to the Lord and his care for his people, he spares no expense. It is almost like the Lord is my shepherd, now is it not. So has the time of the harvest come, and the reapers as unto the ends of the world. Yet even there whether on mission or home, is the Lord present and watching his people. See how he anxiously prepares for his own. There is corn here in abundance, being gathered and held in the arm as though for the eating of later. Remember too how the disciples once grew hungry as they walked with the Lord on the way. It can be seen then that they gathered the ears of the corn as they passed through the fields. How kindly God is to his people who provides such in their times of need, much as the shepherd does on his way through the fold. Then too are the grapes, waiting for gathering at times. These can be for both refreshing as well as for judgment. Though perhaps, it need not be of such if you know the Lord. Here the focus though is not on the wine or the corn, but on the singular purpose of God.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Notice here how the broad way and the wide gate meet up. So often as we travel through this world below you can go just about anywhere you please. But only one way will lead you home. Perhaps you have just come from there or even now are just returning. You can go anywhere you like, yet the broad way will always lead to destruction. As the Lord promised in Proverbs 14:12, it is a way that seems "right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." This looks like the only way, does it not, with its' height and room enough for all upon it. So, it seems this door and this way are quite wide indeed. For some it is all there is. For some it is all they know. Could it be that this broad gate and this wide path leads only to the world. But its' end speaks of destruction, a bringing all things to an end. See, God never intended this old world to last what with its' present condition and all.

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

For creation had been subjected albeit unwillingly, awaiting its' release from bondage whereby it had been made to serve. Paul calls it a subjection to frustration if you will. It was one that made the wide gate almost impossible to miss. You know how you do. You go outside and look up under the big dome of the sky and you think 'this is it; it's all there is.' But if such were the case then would the Lord have not promised the certainty of his rest and the entering into thereof. Remember too that God promised there to be eternity waiting, even that of a new heaven and a new earth. Even now are the old passing away, and behold as of Revelation 21:5, he makes "all things new." What good news that is for some of us who have been a long time in waiting, seemingly for the end of all things.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Then you might wonder what of the harvest and what of the end of the world. But hold up for just a moment. It is hardly time for that yet if you will. First comes the reaping before the end of all things and with it the end of the world. At least, if the message of Christ is to be believed it does. First though, are we as sheep in his barns, or even his pasture. I know it has been said time and time again. Then too does the straight gate and narrow way wait to be seen. It forms something that is not natural, and many do not think but to check. How often has the dear Lord Jesus claimed to be the door to his church of John 10:7-11. The doorway lets his sheep in and out as they go to find pasture as in the text. With what care God watches over his people. Then too, see the thoughts he has for them as he stands among the lampstands keeping watch over his sheep. My friends, it does not get much better than this.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Not only is he the way but he is also the life as well. You might think you are living now, but when you meet him, oh my friends, there is hardly anything left. See how the way turns into our benefit, though it seems strange and unfamiliar at first. Yet those things which the disciples once tasted, and handled, and saw with their eyes, even the Father's good kingdom, have come in the form of the Christ. See him now as the way that once walked among men. Hear him now as he testifies to the Father's own truth. Then too is his life the light of men in this dark world we walk through here below. Perhaps like Thomas you might not know which way to go as in John 14:4-7. Sure, the many mansions of the Fathers house seems rather far off. Yet could it be in all this following him and that by some afar off, he wants only your heart.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Here we see how the portal leads to the portion. Could it be though that the portion doesn't always come right away. For those of you who know ought of the Lord indeed it can. Rather as the old song says 'through many dangers, toils, and snares' we have passed. Some of us might have passed through these things already but how many know that our God is always greater than any still we might face. Within this pasture of his, for he is exceedingly rich, there are many things there. Psalm 23 tells of the table before the enemies spread with the feast. Still too are the ones not of the fold, whom the Father has so graciously sent to fetch. Yet there are some who would despise such a feast.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There is food on the table, the bread and the wine already prepared. So too is there green pasture in plenty and water nearby. It seems God our good Shepherd watches over wherever we go. Romans 2:4 tells of it this way. How good God is to his children my friends. He has already made the way to the Father, now all we must do is follow him there. Some have often said how sweet it is 'to trust in Jesus' for so can he be taken at his Word my friends. God is our gateway to Heaven and our eternity too. Now should any but trust in him, the path will be shown. For God in his mercy has come from above and lighted the path to the Father with care and in love.