God's Share, Receive It

We are looking at Gideon, the farmer. Sounds strange, doesn't it, to think of Gideon as a farmer, but it is there in the Scriptures and we know that the Bible is infallible.

Our first mission is to prove that Gideon is indeed a farmer.

Judges 6: 3 tells us this. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. Gideon is an Israelite, so it is taken for granted that he too is a farmer. If you are not convinced, listen to this. The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. Judges 6: 11. Here you have it plain and to the point.

The oak is not standing on its own, in mid-air. It is on land and it all belongs to Gideon’s daddy. He owns not just land, but farm lands, because there is a winepress and one only has a wine press because one grows grapes and other wine-making crops. Now Gideon is threshing wheat in the winepress, showing that wheat is also grown. Yes, Gideon is quite a gifted, creative farmer, being shrewd and wise in trying to protect what is their God-given right, that of sharing in their produce. Thieves are all around, vicious, heartless, uncaring thieves who wait for you to do all the hard work in planting and when it’s reaping time, crop time, they steal all and you live without the very blessing of God.

It is this word to which I am referring. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2: 6. Who is the hardworking farmer? Let’s study his attitude.

Diligence: Any farmer, who is diligent, is one who is hard working. What do you know about a hardworking farmer? He is always planting crops, tending them and ensuring that no pests destroy them. He does all that is required on a daily basis, for he spends his time in his field. He can be found in his field at any time, for he carries no eight to four hours.

Is this not a picture of Gideon and his father?

Ingenuity: Any farmer who is ingenious, innovative and creative is never afraid to do what needs to be done to protect his or her crops. He does not go complaining of his misfortunes, as all farmers share the same grave problems. Such farmers are seen fighting their way through and conquering the obstacles that have come to make him or her a mediocre farmer. The ingenious farmer lives the old adage, If you don’t have a horse, ride a cow. The point being made is the ability of the farmer to adapt under crop-crushing circumstances.

Is this not a picture of Gideon and his father?

Perseverance: A hardworking farmer will sometimes face setbacks, and some very trying times. On these occasions, he never carries the attitude of the quitter, neither does he become negligent as a farmer. Such a farmer enjoys what he does, for his pleasure comes in his inner confidence and delight in farming. The farmer never grumbles nor complains about the hard work required to tend his crops. Enjoyment is seen in the fact of his perseverance.

Is this not a picture of Gideon and his father?

In the middle of this precious learning time, I hear this nursery rhyme of many different variations, depending on the territory. Perhaps you have guessed it. Yes, it’s, ‘The Farmer in the dell’. Here is the version of this nursery rhyme, as I know it. You know that it has repeats, but I have omitted them for brevity. After verse one, I’ve only written the first lines of the other verses.