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6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. ~ 2 Timothy 2:6-7
The overall theme in 2 Timothy 2 is growing stronger in God's grace, for it is when we are being trained by grace that we will embrace the economy of God the best. Having consider the first three steps in the process of growing in His grace in this section of this letter, the Apostle Paul provides yet another analogy to convey to us elements of spiritual strength that is the product of growing strong in God's grace.
The hardworking farmer metaphor pictures a man who works to the point of total exhaustion. His all is invested because this is his livelihood. Unlike the teacher, the soldier, and the athlete who fairly quickly enjoy the results of their hard work, the farmer waits and is unsure of the results while he waits.
Farming is backbreaking, dirty, detailed work, and, most of all, it is risky. There aren’t any guarantees in farming. The farmer looks at his failed crop as a tangible reminder that the harvest inevitably belongs to the Lord. The farmer must be faithful to lay the groundwork for the harvest, but the harvest cannot be forced; it can only happen through the Lord’s providence.
In the same way that God made the farmer to care for His creation and provide food for humanity, He trains us by His grace to patiently share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus with the lost and to provide nourishment for them spiritually.
The Greek participle "hardworking" is descriptive. It informs us that we are involved in a never-ending investment this side of heaven. The verb means on-going labor, recurring trouble, incessant difficulty and persistent fatigue to the point of exhaustion.
Being trained in grace results in the farmer being able to taste of His fruit, and the fruit is the sinner entering into a personal relationship with God. And, we somehow factored in on the fruitfulness of one being turned from hell to heaven.
When we are being trained by grace, we will gain God's heart increasingly. When this happens, we will be more proficient at giving His truth away, we will be more proficient at enduring hardships in the battle, we will be more proficient in learning endurance and in practicing patience as we work with those who God has seen fit for us to help.
This analogy of the farmer informs us that our walk with Christ is mostly made up of daily faithfulness and everyday dependent obedience, often pursuing the mundane responsibilities of life. This analogy reminds us that we do not stop doing the basics, including the study of God's Word, prayer and sharing the gospel.
In v.7 we read, "Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."
The verb "reflect" is used only here in the New Testament. It denotes perceiving clearly with the mind, of understanding fully, of considering carefully, of pondering and deeply mulling over. It is an imperative, indicating a strong admonition, not mere advice. It challenges us to ponder carefully the importance of our work for the Lord.
The reward for the farmer is always in sight. There is joy in the harvest, and the greatest satisfaction belongs to the one who carefully cultivated it all along the way. For the hard-working farmer joy results from His long-term faithfulness. He is content in His work and he has learned the secret joy of trusting in God’s providence and experiencing His constant goodness.
But there is also joy for the farmer in what he cannot see. One tiny seed becomes a huge plant that produces a thousandfold of seeds. The harvest multiplies itself and goes out into the world in a way that he will never see with his own eyes. But because he can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
In our work and in our weariness, let us look to the farmer. Let us keep the deep-root, big picture in mind. If we don’t give up, one day we will enjoy the final harvest and its bountiful rewards. Unlike our farming friends, this harvest, one cultivated by faith, is absolutely guaranteed.
As a result, “The Lord will give us insight into everything.” God has entrusted us with His word, our experience with Him, our gifts, and the Holy Spirit to be engaged in the lives of people in such a way to train them in the grace of God.
