Progressing to Blessing: Revivalist Series, #3

By Pilgrim Preacher

Progressing to Blessing. In this book, we are looking at ancient Middle Eastern agricultural practices such as plowing, sowing, and reaping. We will build on these practices and connect them to numerous scripture passages that refer to reformation, revival, and evangelism.

 

You know in the bible times, plowing was a very common sight that involved the farmer, the field, and the plow. The instrument used to plow the ground was simple in construction, usually a wooden stake with a handle attached to it and a point of iron that went into the ground. The farmer would hold on to the wooden handle, and the point of iron would drive into the dirt. This simple plow was attached to a yoke and drawn by two or more oxen. The farmer held the plow with one hand, and in the other hand, he held a stick to prod the oxen forward and in line. During the conversion experience of Saul, there is a plowing illustration used in, Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The ox would sometimes kick against the pricks from the plowman's stick. Again, the prods were used to keep the ox moving forward and in line…

 

The big themes in this publication are reformation, revival, evangelism, and preservation. This book holds a personal application for the reader as there are challenges to progress to blessing. Buy this book and experience revival.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pilgrim Preacher
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223774518

Pilgrim Preacher

The Pilgrim Preacher gives Ministers and Teachers everything they need to deliver a relevant and engaging Bible lesson to today's audience. Ordained with over thirty-five years of theological experience and having e-books distributed in online bookstores, the Pilgrim Preacher is your one-stop shop for sermons and bible lessons. The Pilgrim Preacher's suite of sermons, lessons, and devotions is the busy minister's best friend. The biblical genres covered are comprehensive, theologically sound, and engaging. Each series format empowers Pastors and Teachers to achieve their routine of delivering bible lessons multiple times each week. Everyone in ministry should have this suite of e-learning courses to educate and inspire their parishioners to greater heights in the Faith.

Book preview

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You know in the bible times, plowing was a very common sight that involved the farmer, the field, and the plow. The instrument used to plow the ground was simple in construction, usually a wooden stake with a handle attached to it and a point of iron that went into the ground. The farmer would hold on to the wooden handle, and the point of iron would drive into the dirt. This simple plow was attached to a yoke and drawn by two or more oxen. The farmer held the plow with one hand, and in the other hand, he held a stick to prod the oxen forward and in line. During the conversion experience of Saul, there is a plowing illustration used in, Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The ox would sometimes kick against the pricks from the plow-man’s stick. Again, the prods were used to keep the ox moving forward and in line.

The plow made a furrow: a small ditch four inches wide and one foot deep. After the plow would go through to loosen up the turf, the seed could be sown. The oxen were used mainly for plowing the fields. They were very valuable to the farmer: beasts of burden. In scripture, oxen are described as lowly servants: meek yet strong. Jesus is characterized as an ox, in Saint Mark's gospel. Only on special occasions were oxen killed for ceremonial sacrifice. Jesus Christ, on the cross, was the ox in the Gospel of Mark, who became that sacrifice. Jesus became the offering for sin. 

July and August

In Israel, the agricultural calendar was like this: from July to August, it was the dry season. It was summer. The sun would beat down and harden the ground. When the ground is solid, one cannot plant anything, or expect a harvest. Jesus spoke about the difficult ground in the parable of the Sower.

Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;  13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:  13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:  13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them.

There in that parable, we have three types of