Seeds are the DNA instructions to reproduce the parent. Scriptures are the DNA instructions to reproduce God. It is no coincidence that Israel had a small spring harvest and a large fall harvest. The grains were harvested in the spring and the fruits and nuts were harvested in the fall. In the same way,

Christians are compared to “firstfruits” of grain (Jer. 2:3; Rev. 14:4; James 1:8) while grapes are associated with wicked people (Rev. 14:15). There is the small first resurrection of Christians before the Millenium (1 Cor. 15:23) and a large second resurrection of non-Christians (Matt. 10:14-15; 11:21-25; 12:41-42) after the Millenium (Rev. 20:5). The “former rains” (Hos. 6:3) in the spring and the “latter rains” in the fall (Deut. 11:14) are the two out-pourings of the Holy Spirit. Even people who are now “fruits” and “nuts” will be given their opportunity if they repent. Every tree gets pruned. Every experience is part of God’s pruning process.

You’ve been picked out to be picked on. He cuts off fruitless branches and prunes fruitful ones. The single kernel of wheat (Jesus Christ himself) must fall into the ground, and DIE, before it can produce the harvest of much grain (those who, in faith, partake of that life) (John 12:23-28). And, for each of us, discipline and correction from God — though unpleasant — WILL “produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11).

Isaiah 28:27-28 mentions different methods of reaping different grains. “Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cummin; but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cummin with a rod. Does one crush bread grain? No, he does not thresh it for ever; when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it” (RSV). The reason for different human afflictions is for the same cause which induces the farmer to employ various methods of reaping grain on his farm. We are not to expect the same unvarying course in God’s dealings with us.

It would be as unreasonable as to expect that the farmer would be always plowing, or always threshing. We are not to expect always the same kind of afflictions. The farmer uses different machines and modes of threshing, and adapts them to the nature of the grain. So God uses different modes, and adapts them to the nature, character, and disposition of his people.

One man requires one mode of discipline, and another another. At one time we need one mode of correction to call us from sin and temptation; at another another. We may lay it down as a general rule, that “the divine judgments are usually in the line of our offences” and by the nature of the judgment we may usually ascertain the nature of the sin. If a man’s besetting sin is “pride,” the judgment will usually be something that is suited to humble his pride; if it be covetousness, his property may be removed, or it may be made a curse; if it be undue attachment to children or friends, they may be removed. God will not crush or destroy his people.

The farmer does not crush or destroy his grain. In all the various methods which he uses, he takes care not to pursue it too far, and not to injure the grain. So with God’s dealings with his people. His object is not to destroy them, but it is to separate the chaff from the wheat; and he will afflict them only so much as may be necessary to accomplish this. He will not be always bruising his people, but will in due time remit his strokes – just as the thresher does.

We should, therefore, bear afflictions and chastisements with patience. God deals with us in mercy – and the design of all his dispensations toward us in prosperity and adversity; in sickness and in health; in success and in disappointment, is to produce the richest and most abundant fruits of righteousness, and to prepare us to enter into his kingdom above.