I grew up in a place and time that allowed me to understand the concept of “fallow ground.” Plants draw their nutrients from the soil. If farmland is harvested year after year without somehow replenishing the dirt, the crops will slowly drain the soil of all lifegiving nutrients.
Prior to modern fertilizers, wise farmers allowed their land to “rest.” They rotated their crops from field to field, periodically allowing a field a “year off.” Many farmers followed the seven-year or Sabbath plan outlined in the Leviticus 25:4. Every seventh year, God’s people abstained from sowing their fields and harvesting the volunteer grain. They did not prune their vineyards or harvest grapes from the untended vines. In this way, they displayed their trust in God as their provider. God’s law of the land Sabbath proved not only spiritually advantageous … it had tangible benefits. The crops that died on the stalk, were plowed back into the soil replenishing its nutrients and maintaining the lands fertility.
While the Israelites were commanded to allow the land to rest in the seventh year, they were also commanded to plow up their fallowed ground the following season. God’s regular method of providing for his people was through their own labor. God is the provider of every good thing, but He also calls His people to meaningful work. To allow the land to remain fallow year after year was not a sign of trust, but indolence. Look at this verse from Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
God’s people had neglected righteousness … their land was spiritually fallow. Their society had grown thick with the weeds like idolatry and injustice. God warned them to loosen up the soil of their hearts and turn back to following Him and His commands. It was time get up and plant! It was time to seek the Lord!
I love the reciprocity of this passage. If the people would seek God and sow righteousness … He would come and shower righteousness on them. If in response to God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, we live a life that honors Him … is that His work or ours? Yes! Salvation is free gift, but it also a call away from sin and toward obedience. As we obey that call, God adds blessings of spiritual growth and maturity. Redeemed people sow righteousness … and God rains down more righteousness into their lives.
