Have you ever heard of harvest time? Recently I drove by a newly harvested corn field at dusk and saw deer along the edges of the field. Days before, the farmer came through to collect the crops with a machine called a combine harvester. This machine cuts the corn, “threshes” it to separate the corn from the leaves and stalks, and finally removes the unwanted chaff that blows away. Once the corn has moved through all the stages, it is stored in a collection bin. During this mechanical process, corn kernels mistakenly fall to the ground. Deer, turkey, geese, quail and other animals benefit from “waste,” or leftover corn. With the tall corn cut short, deer can also munch on weeds that were growing between the rows.

 

Unless you are looking for deer in the farmer’s fields, you might miss them because they are the same color as the brown dirt and tan corn stalks. This camouflage coloring also protects them from predators walking through the same field. I love to challenge myself to spot and count the deer as we drive past fields. If you have good “nature eyes,” you might spot birds or even a hunting coyote!

 

Thousands of years ago, God gave farmers instructions to leave some of the harvest behind. This is recorded in the Bible in the Levitical law (book of Leviticus) and is called the law of gleaning. Although God feeds the birds of the air and the animals on the earth, this law was not to provide for the animals. Instead, this law provided food for people that were hungry. The poor, orphans, widows and foreigners would glean, or collect, the leftover wheat, barley, olives and grapes in the fields left by the farmer. In the book of Ruth in the Bible, you can read how God provided for Ruth and Naomi through the law of gleaning.

 

Leviticus 23:22 says, “’When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.’”

 

Most families do not raise crops anymore. Modern farmers have efficient machinery to collect their harvest and feed many people. So, how can we help those that are hungry if we don’t grow food? You can donate food or time to food banks and church pantries. You can sponsor children in impoverished countries through various organizations. You can also be generous to your friends and family. Consider offering the last portion of dessert to someone else. They will be surprised by your kind offer!

“Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NCV)

Jehovah Jireh (“The Lord Will Provide”), thank you for providing for our needs. Help us to remember that everything good in our lives is from you.

Fun Fact:

On September 26th there will be a full moon called the “Harvest Moon.” It’s the full moon that appears closest to the start of fall and during the harvest season. Before electricity, farmers used the extra light from the full Harvest Moon to finish harvesting crops after sunset.

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