244. EXO 23:16. THE FEAST OF HARVEST

Exo_23:16. The Feast of Harvest

"And the feast of harvest."’97Exo_23:16.

Every thing is lovely and interesting in Us season. All must have felt the power of that sacred proverb, "A word spoken in season, how good is it!" The Redeemer always seemed to adapt his discourses to the seasons, and the audiences he addressed. It is obvious that our minds are capable of being more deeply impressed at one time than another. In sickness we feel more powerfully our mutability. Near the grave, our mortality, &c. Seasons and feelings should be appropriate with each other. Hence we are enjoined in the day of prosperity to rejoice, while in the day of adversity we are to consider. In ancient times God was pleased to appoint services and festivals for the commemoration, and improvement of seasons and events. There were in particular three general feasts: that of the passover, by which they kept up a lively remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt; the feast of weeks, or pentecost, seven weeks after the passover, when the firstfruits were presented to God; and the feast of harvest, or tabernacle to celebrate the goodness of God in the abundance of his bounty. Mercies which demanded their grateful services, are certainly worthy of ours.

Let us, then, consider, in reference to the harvest,

I. The Instruction it communicates.

What instructions do we derive from a contemplation of the harvest?

1. It exhibits the wonderful power of God.

Our minds are not sufficiently impressed with this. We stand astonished at the power of the storm and tempest, yet are liable to pass over the silent, yet not less energetic, influence of Jehovah’s power Christ’s miracle on the sea of Galilee did not exhibit his power more than when he silently multiplied the loaves, and fed thousands in the desert. How astonishing the energy by which a few grains produce an increase of thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.

2. We have an establishment of the faithfulness and truth of God.

God’s displeasure was once displayed in bringing upon the world a flood of waters. But afterwards he made a covenant not again to destroy it. Gen_8:21, Gen_8:22. And he has been faithful to his covenant. Never failed. In the harvest another proof of it.

3. We have a manifestation of the goodness and bounty of God.

Wherefore does Jehovah meet all the wants of his creatures? It is because the Lord is good, and his tender mercies are over all his works. See the beautiful description, Psa_65:9-13.

4. It displays the mercy and forbearance of God.

For whom does he send the profusion of his bounty? For the holy, upright, and obedient? No; but for a world in arms against him; for rebels against his authority; for sensualists, worldlings, blasphemers, infidels, &c. He sends his rain upon the evil and the good, the wicked and the just.

5. It shows us the connection between means and the end.

All our blessings are from God. Nothing more evident than this. See Hos_2:21. This applies to every thing. In nature, providence, and grace. Yet exertion is ours. We must plough and sow, &c., before we can reap. So, in the acquisition of knowledge, or in the attainment of salvation. We can only reap everlasting life by sowing to the Spirit.

Let us consider, in reference to the harvest,

II. What Feelings it should produce

It should produce feelings,

1. Of deep humiliation.

God’s goodness should humble us. Our consciousness of being utterly unworthy should prostrate us in the dust. Abraham repented himself in dust and ashes. Prodigal said he had sinned against heaven, &c. The centurion said, I am not worthy, &c. We are not worthy of the least, &c.

2. Of heartfelt gratitude.

Bless the Lord, O our souls, &c. Psa_103:1, &c. Ought to rejoice in his lovingkindness, &c. Hence the propriety of recognising at every meal the donor of all our mercies.

We should feel,

3. Our constant dependence upon God.

"In all our ways acknowledge him," &c. We should see his hand in every thing; and endeavor to glorify him in all we do. In sowing, ploughing, reaping, &c. We should feel,

4. A constant desire to please him.

The inquiry should be, "What shall I render to the Lord," &c. What does God demand from us? Our hearts, and lives, and all. "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God," &c.

Consider,

III. What practical Influence the Subject should exert upon us.

1. To labor for the provision suited to our souls.

There is other grain, other fields, other bread. God has sent us a harvest of Gospel blessings, an abundance of the bread of life, "Labor not," &c. Joh_6:27. "Lord, evermore give us this bread!" "One thing is needful," &c.

We should be excited,

2. To do good in our respective spheres and stations in life.

How God blesses us and fills our cup "Be ye followers of God," &c. Try to relieve the wants and alleviate the miseries around you. "Be blessings to the poor," &c. "To do good and communicate," &c.

3. Prepare for the final harvest.

The field is the world; harvest is near; full of wheat and tares; angels the reapers. Speedily the command will be given’97"Thrust in the sickle," &c. Eternity is suspended upon it. Wheat will be gathered into the garner, &c. Tares burnt, &c. Now how do we stand? What is our character? Are we prepared, &c. Repentance is necessary; faith is necessary, being in Christ is necessary.

Application

1. Let us gratefully enjoy the bounties of Providence. Many are abusing, many forgetting, &c.

2. Let us be especially anxious about the blessings of eternal life.

3. Let us always act in reference to the final harvest of the world.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS