Written by
Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
The expression, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hos. 10:12; Jeremiah 4:3) means, “Do not sow your seed among thorns”,
i.e., break off all your evil habits; clear your hearts of weeds, in order that
they may be prepared for the seed of righteousness. Land was allowed to lie
fallow that it might become more fruitful; but when in this condition, it soon
became overgrown with thorns and weeds. The cultivator of the soil was careful
to “break up” his fallow ground, i.e., to clear the field of weeds, before
sowing seed in it. So says the prophet, “Break off your evil ways, repent of
your sins, cease to do evil, and then the good seed of the word will have room
to grow and bear fruit.” https://christiananswers.net/dictionary/fallow-ground.html
An untilled land is also fallow ground especially
if it is left fallow on account of laziness or frittering time in activities
that have neither eternal nor financial value. Please see Proverbs Chapters 12
verse 11, 28 verse 19, Hosea Chapter 10 verse 12, Jeremiah Chapter 4 verse 3,
and Hebrews Chapter 6 verses 7 to 8.
In Luke Chapter 13 verses 6 to 9, Jesus Christ talked
about the landowner who wanted to cut down the unproductive fig tree that was
using up ground space without producing anything. The question then is why use
up the ground and not produce anything, especially what is of value to
humanity? Why own a ground and keep it fallow when it should be productively
engaged to produce what is of value to humanity? That would be akin to what the
wicked lazy servant, the servant who refused to trade his talent did. He
refused to be productively engaged with the talent in his hand that would have
multiplied resources to bless humanity. He was punished with eternal damnation,
called wicked and lazy. Is it then possible that refusal to work the ground
given to one by God can lead to eternal damnation? Is it also the same thing as
willful destruction? Please see Proverbs Chapter 18 verse 19, Ecclesiastes
Chapter 10 verse 18.
In Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 11, the Bible refers to
the person who follows frivolity as a person devoid of understanding while a
person who tills his or her land will have plenty of bread. This is further
reiterated in Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 19 (plenty of bread for land tillers as
well as abundant provision for clothing, land ownership, food and general
maintenance. Please see Genesis Chapters 26 verses 1 to 14; 30 verses 25 to 43,
Proverbs Chapter 31 verses 10 to 3. And poverty for those who follow
frivolity). Following after frivolity and sowing among thorns is akin to
laboring in vain, frittering time in non productive activities that do not
yield any benefit; have no value whatsoever whether on earth or in eternity;
akin to time wasting activities. Activities that have no eternal value, which
do not impact people positively for God and the good of humanity are frivolous
activities and can also be likened to sowing among thorns.
Beloved, take time off to evaluate your present activities and
relationships to ascertain whether you are impacting people positively for God
(eternal value); and the general good of humanity. Otherwise, you are engaged
in either frivolous activities or you are sowing among thorns. Your real wealth are your treasures laid up in
heaven; the souls harvested into the kingdom on account of your giving, your
prayers, Bible teaching and counsel, encouragement, care giving and evangelism.
Therefore seek ye first the kingdom of God so that every other thing will be
added unto you. P;ease see Matthew Chapter 6 verses 33, 19 to 21.
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