Jeremiah 5:24

GRATITUDE FOR HARVEST

‘The appointed weeks of the harvest.’

Jeremiah 5:24

The inspired writers, in urging the claims of God and of religion upon those to whom they addressed their messages, sometimes made use of facts which were familiar to all, in order to support those claims. Whilst there were special proofs in Revelation of Divine wisdom, care, and love, it was thought well sometimes to appeal to those proofs of Providential oversight and benevolence which are visible to every eye, and should produce impression upon every heart.

I. The natural events and processes upon which the appeal is grounded.—The provision made annually for the wants of God’s dependent creatures has always attracted the attention of the observant, and awakened the gratitude of the devout. Notice (1) The means by which the harvest is prepared. The former and the latter rains were given in their season to fertilise the soil and to bring forward the crop. (2) The end which is thus secured. The appointed weeks of the harvest, i.e. the seven weeks from Passover to Pentecost, witnessed the ripening and the ingathering of the precious grain. Still is the promise fulfilled, ‘Seedtime and harvest shall not cease.’

II. The religious impressions and resolutions which these natural events and processes are fitted to produce.—They who witness such proofs of God’s goodness are expected to say in their hearts, ‘Let us reverence, worship, and serve the Lord, the Giver of every good gift!’ To refrain from such a response is an evidence of ‘a revolting and a rebellious heart.’