Wheat Field in Rain
Gogh, Vincent van, 1853-1890. Wheat Field in Rain, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56228 [retrieved December 9, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_Willem_van_Gogh,_Dutch_-_Rain_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.
Exploring the Text: Wait like a farmer
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:8-10)
My husband’s family were historically wheat farmers. That era sadly ended with his parents- when they and their siblings sold the remaining land. I’ve done my fair share of tinkering in soil around my house. So when I read this… I smiled a little.
Are farmers patient? Only the experienced ones. Even then, I wonder if it’s patience, or if it’s wisdom. No amount of grumbling gets the earth to yield results. Palestinian farmers had to wait for two major rainfall seasons - late fall, and mid-spring - to water their crops. There was likely a fair amount of concern that came waiting for the rains and hoping it would be enough to yield good crops.
When I read this passage, I relate to the passage below the patience - establish your hearts (ie. prepare the soil and plan the layout), do not grumble (ie. pick out rocks and keep out pests), take the prophets (ie. learn about better farming methods and learn a thing or two while you wait about how to wait), and look forward to the fruit.
He’s coming back… and someday, everything will be made right again.
Amanda Cunningham
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:8-10)
My husband’s family were historically wheat farmers. That era sadly ended with his parents- when they and their siblings sold the remaining land. I’ve done my fair share of tinkering in soil around my house. So when I read this… I smiled a little.
Are farmers patient? Only the experienced ones. Even then, I wonder if it’s patience, or if it’s wisdom. No amount of grumbling gets the earth to yield results. Palestinian farmers had to wait for two major rainfall seasons - late fall, and mid-spring - to water their crops. There was likely a fair amount of concern that came waiting for the rains and hoping it would be enough to yield good crops.
When I read this passage, I relate to the passage below the patience - establish your hearts (ie. prepare the soil and plan the layout), do not grumble (ie. pick out rocks and keep out pests), take the prophets (ie. learn about better farming methods and learn a thing or two while you wait about how to wait), and look forward to the fruit.
He’s coming back… and someday, everything will be made right again.
Amanda Cunningham