Judges 9:56, "Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren."

I believe it is good that we regularly think about the principle, "We reap what we sow." In the verse Abimelech, one of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (which is Gideon), conspired to become ruler of the people in Shechem and beyond (Judges 9:2). Part of his plot included hiring some men to follow him who is described as "vain and light." which meant they were reckless and unprincipled. The other part of the plot was to kill all of his brothers (seventy in number!). Can you imagine the level of pride and greed in this man that he would stoop so low as to do these two things? Well, he did, and there are others on our planet just like him.

So the context of this verse is now known and God puts into action the principle of sowing and reaping. There are a couple of verses I want to meditate upon today in light of this principle:

Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Three years had passed before Abimelech reaped what he sowed. We Reap What We Sow!
Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." The element of deception is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 8:11. Because God doesn't speedily execute judgment, people think their sin has been overlooked. However, such is not the case.

May we sow to the Spirit rather than to the flesh. Galatians 6:8, "For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. How have you seen the principle of sowing and reaping in your life?

2. What in your estimation the worst thing you have ever done? What were the consequences?

3. How would you contrast the idea of sowing to the flesh with that of sowing to the Spirit?

4. Are you focused upon walking in the Spirit? How is this indicated?

We Reap What We Sow