Parable of the Soils Part II

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word (NKJV)

Today, we continue our look into the parable of the soils/sower. My emphasis today will be on the sower. I'm going to assume that everyone reading this has at least a basic knowledge of this parable (by that, I mean that you have at least read it at one time or another- if not, I refer you to Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke chapter 8). The first question we should ask ourselves is "what kind of seed am I sowing?" In the book of Genesis, God outlined a process as long as the earth remains- seedtime...and harvest (Genesis 8:22) . When speaking about the Kingdom, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground (Mark 4:26). It has become cliche' and said probably far too often from pulpits, but I'll say it again- you can't plant tomato seeds and expect a harvest of apples. God has established in His Word that whatsoever a man sows...that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). In this parable, Jesus clearly has in mind that the seed is the Word of God.

In today's entry and in the subsequent entry, I hope to establish that any "breakdown" in the process is not indicative of a shortcoming in either the seed or the sower. The problem (if there is one) lies in the type of soil. Now obviously you and I would like to come across "good ground" every time we scatter seed, but (as we are all too painfully aware) more often than not, we come in contact with other types of soil (rocky, thorny, etc.). Now as much as I'd like to only sow seed on receptive or fertile ground, this parable shows that the Word must go forth on all types. I believe this is consistent with the fact that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Many are called, but few are chosen...the invitation is given to all, but of course not all will respond.

The enemy of our souls would love for us to believe that we have failed when we don't see the desired response every time we sow the seed (the Word). It becomes especially frustrating when we believe that we are doing exactly what God has called us to do and we still don't see the desired harvest. I'm going to share just a few examples with you today which hopefully will serve as encouragement to weary souls. Isaiah the prophet is one of the most pivotal figures of Old Testament prophecy. Many of the New Testament writers borrow from him to establish New Testament theology. One of my favorite passages deals with his vision of the Lord in the temple found in Isaiah 6. In this passage we read where Isaiah says "Here am I...send me." Obviously we have a willing vessel in Isaiah (you would be too if you had just seen the LORD)- he is ready and equipped for ministry. However, God tells him that his "ministry" is destined for rejection. Let's look at these words from Isaiah 6:

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

Having heard that, would you be ready to launch out into an evangelistic crusade? Probably not! But, the rejection of the people was not indicative of Isaiah's sincerity or effort. God clearly told Him that the people would reject the message- nevertheless God wanted Isaiah to go and preach. Or how about Ezekiel? Let's look at Ezekiel's ministry for just a moment:

Ezekiel 2:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 2:4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. 2:6And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 2:8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Again, God calls Ezekiel to go and preach the Word and function as a prophet to Israel. And yet, He forewarns him that he is being sent to a rebellious people who probably will speak evil of him, look at him with scorn, and utterly reject his message. Nevertheless, this is not indicative of any shortcoming or failure on Ezekiel's part. He is simply responsible for preaching the message that God gave him. The results then depend on the type of soil the seed falls upon.

Finally, I want to use as an example, the apostle Paul. In God's sovereign plan, He ordained that the Gentiles should hear the gospel by the mouth (and pen) of Paul. Nevertheless, his message had to be first rejected by the Jews. Notice this record in Acts

Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed

Again, there was no problem with Paul or his doctrine that he had received from Christ. The problem was with the hardened hearts of the blaspheming Jews. Although Paul was preaching to them the Words of life- Words that would have rescued them from eternal destruction- the rejected it without batting an eyelash. However, we see that the Gentiles gladly received the Word and embraced eternal life. This is the good news of it all- even though some (yes many) will reject the Word of God- Praise God there are those who will embrace it and lay hold on eternal life. It is for this reason that we must not get discouraged when people reject the message of Christ. Some will doubt, some will mock, some will be indifferent, some will be angry...but praise God...some will receive and bring forth fruit!!!

To be continued..... (feel free to add your comments)

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