GENERAL
COLUMN
From the Word
Editor's letter
Planning & planting time?
A
fter a recent typo, the importance of a single letter was
emphasised once again. It can change the meaning of a
word, paragraph or even a whole message. The spelling
error in this instance, planting time as planning time,
does contain some truth.
This is the time we have to work hard to be ready to plant. It is said
that when a seed is planted, the field is planted. But we also have to
plan - as simple as it may sound to plant a seed, a number of other
aspects have to be considered as well. We experience the impact of
discussions regarding expropriation of land without compensation,
the country is officially in a recession and the 2019 election is around
the corner. Amongst all of the above, we have to plant as well.
It made me think of 1 Corinthians 3, which deals with discord and
division, which we often experience in South Africa. However, we
should allow the Spirit of God to guide us, rather than merely ma
king a living as worldly people. The question is asked in this part of
the Scripture whether we are still worldly.
Read from verse 5: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul?
Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has
assigned to each his task.6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,
but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants
nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things
grow.”
We are all equal before God and we are rewarded according to
the work we do. What is important, however, is that we all serve
the Lord our God. Remember that although
producers plant the fields, we should first
and foremost be the fields of God and we
should move away from discord.
If we plan correctly (planning time) and
we plant correctly (planting time), we
will reap the fruits thereof.
Aubrey Kruger
EDITOR
Rev Willie Botha
Then and Now
Read: Ps126; Matth 9:36-38;
Luke 9:62; Prov 20:4
IN THIS STORY, two time periods apply:“Then” and “Now”.
Difficult times were experienced in the past. Some comments
indicate that it could even have been the time after exile.
There is value in not mentioning the specific situation from
which they were delivered, since the deliverance can then be
applied over a wider spectrum. The core is the actual deliver-
ance. The joy and gratitude which accompany this situation, is
striking. There is laughter and singing and even other nations
testify about the work of the Lord.
But there is also a “Now”. Once again the situation is not
mentioned, to be universally applicable. Based on God’s deli
verance in the past, there is faith and confidence to approach
God once again. He has proved Himself to be reliable through
the ages. He fulfilled His promises time after time. God is able
to act in a paradoxical manner. Geographic borders do not
determine whether it will rain or not. Even in the dry Southern
country He changes dry riverbeds into roaring rivers.
Planting is hard work. During the Biblical times planting and
ploughing were often done at the same time. Wheat and bar-
ley were the most important crops, but sorghum and spelt
were also planted. The seed was sown first and then ploughed
into the soil. Another method was to plough first, sow next and
plough the seed into the soil at 90 degree angles over the first
plough lines. On slopes, hard places and amongst tree roots,
where the oxen could not plough, the soil was tilled with a
pick-axe. The ploughing was made worse by the cold, heavy
winter rain, when most of the work was done. He who sheers
away from ploughing, cannot expect a crop (Prov 20:4).
During drought, food meant to be eaten was taken from the
mouths to plant. The hope of a better crop made it all worth-
while.
Summer time is harvest time. Hard work was paying off and
no need to dwell on the hard work which preceded the har-
vest. It built character. Happiness and festivities characterised
the conclusion of the harvest. There was joy and gratitude.
The gathering of the harvest meant that God provided and it
improved our character.
The harvest is also used as a metaphore for the second com-
ing of Christ in the New Testament. He comes with the expec-
tation to find people who, despite circumstances, worked
hard and planting and who can share in His heavenly feast.
The cutting of the sower's bag and the tears made place for
heavenly glory.
02
SENWES SCENARIO | SUMMER 2018