Here is an Old Testament verse
that seems to indicate that the LORD's
blessing is on the first fruits of the
coming Harvest:
Haggai 2:19 KJV
Is the seed yet in the barn?
Yea, as yet the vine, and the
fig tree, and the pomegranate,
and the olive tree, hath not
brought forth: from this day
will I bless [you].
If we can understand the harvest cycle
with a view towards New Testament themes,
perhaps the following might approximate
a generalized Christian motif:
(1) Barley - symbol of harvesting His lambs
since lambs are classified as being less
than 1 years old; they would receive
holiness by the gentle wind of the Spirit
also known as 'winnowing' the chaff. Too
much wind, and you lose the grain. Too
little and nothing quite happens.
(2) Wheat - symbol of harvesting His lambs
which are more than 1 years old; they should
be relatively more mature and might receive
holiness from a good threshing by the LORD.
I view the many goofs demonstrated by the
12 Apostles as they repeatedly stumbled
completely oblivious to whatever it was
that the LORD was trying to teach them.
(3) Grapes - symbol of harvesting new Wine
of the Yeshua covenant from out of the
many fermented troubles and trials endured.
Isaiah 18:5 NKJV
For before the harvest, when the bud
is perfect And the sour grape is
ripening in the flower, He will
both cut off the sprigs with pruning
hooks And take away [and] cut down
the branches.
This is a dividing point that can either
transform into a pure heart (Mat 5:8) or
effuse sour grape resentment.
Micah 6:15 NASB
"You will sow but you will not reap.
You will tread the olive but will not
anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes,
but you will not drink wine."
The Vine is Christ, and the sour grapes
might be considered as the Apostates who
will experience the wine-press of wrath.
John 15:1,5 KJV
I am the true vine and my Father is the
husbandman. I am the vine, ye [are] the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit;
for without me ye can do nothing.
and
Mark 12:9 KJV
What shall therefore the lord of the
vineyard do? He will come and destroy
the husbandmen, and will give the
vineyard unto others.
(4) Pomegranates - symbol of harvesting good
health that is loaded with healthy antioxidants
and vitamins, as pomegranates are the new super
food. The ancient fruit with a rich history
has many uses providing safe, natural healing.
(5) Figs - symbol of harvesting good health
that is loaded with anti-diabetic properties,
lower triglycerides, highest plant source of
calcium, full of fiber, source of potassium,
and super antioxidant.
It also relates back to a false covering for
the knowledge of good and evil which received
the curse of the LORD listed in the book of
Genesis as well as from Jesus.
Matthew 21:19-20 KJV
And when he [Jesus] saw a fig tree in
the way, he came to it, and found
nothing thereon, but leaves only, and
said unto it, 'Let no fruit grow on
thee henceforward for ever.' And
presently the fig tree withered away.
[v20] And when the disciples saw [it],
they marvelled, saying, 'How soon is
the fig tree withered away!'
(6) Olives - symbol of havesting the lamp oil
of the Spirit by the shaking along with the
pressing down of circumstances in a believer's
walk with Him.
(7) Honey - made possible through the agency of
bees that cross-pollinate flowers in their search
for food. Their honey can be harvested by hand
when a beekeeper separates the bees from its
hive. The beekeeper uses a 'bee escape' board to
safely havest the honey crop. As a symbol of
harvesting the Word of God, it shows us how our
heart-treasure separates us from the World, and
pierces/cutting a dividing between our soul and
our spirit.
