BIBLE STUDY LESSON 04

SERIES R --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD

PARABLES

THE SECRETS OF HEAVEN IN A STORY ABOUT SEEDS

From Mark 4:1-25

One time, when Yeshua walked beside the Sea of Galilee, great crowds gathered behind Him. Entering a boat near the shore, Yeshua sat down to teach them. As He often did, He began to teach through stories. Here is one of the stories He told: [Listen! There was once a man who went into a field to sow some seeds. As he threw the seed, some of it fell along the hard soil of the path, and the birds flew down to eat it. Some seed fell on shallow soil filled with rocks. The seeds began to grow quickly in the shallow soil, but the sun soon scorched the young plants for they did not have much root. Some of the seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the young plants and kept the grain from growing. Other seed fell into good soil, and produced a good crop, in some cases thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much as had been planted. If you have ears, you should listen to what I am saying.] When the crowd had gone and Yeshua was alone, some of His followers asked Him about the meaning of the story. [This parable helps you understand the secrets of YHVH’s Kingdom,] Yeshua answered. [Others hear only the story itself, but to you its meaning is revealed. It has been written: ‘Some will look, but not perceive, some will listen, but not understand. But those who do will turn to YHVH and He will take away their sin.’] Then Yeshua said to His followers, [It really isn’t difficult to understand the meaning of this parable. If you don’t understand this one, it will be difficult for you to understand any of the parables. Listen carefully. The seed that is sown is the Word of YHVH. But like the seed that falls on the hard path, some of it falls on hard hearts. As soon as the Word comes to these hearts, Satan descends and snatches it away. In the same way, the rocky soil represents those who accept YHVH’s Word quickly with joy, but because of their shallow hearts they give it up when the first trouble or persecution comes along. The seed among thorns is the Word which is choked out by the worries and cares of this life, the delights of riches, and the desire for things. All of these things keep the Word from bearing fruit. The seed that fell on good soil is the Word that takes root in a life. It is heard, accepted, and allowed to bear fruit. Like the sower’s seed, it will produce thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much as was planted.] Yeshua also said, [Do people light a lamp and then put it under a basket or a bed? Of course not! They put it on a lamp stand so that it will give light. Whatever is hidden now will someday be revealed and whatever is covered now will someday be uncovered. If you have ears, you should listen to what I am saying.] Then Yeshua added, [Be sure to pay attention to this. You will receive in the same measure as you give. You will receive even more. Whoever has much will receive more, but whoever has little will lose what he has.]

COMMENTARY

SEEDTIME AND HARVEST

In the time when Yeshua was on earth, the sowing and harvesting of grain had to be done entirely by hand -- as it still is, in some parts of the Near East and the rest of the world. The climate in Palestine has changed very little, if at all, since Bible times. Seedtime is still -- as it was then -- during the months we think of as harvest time. Farmers begin sowing their seeds in early October; by the beginning of December all the crops are planted. The rains of winter come and keep the crops watered. By April, the crops are fully grown. Just when our farmers are thinking about spring planting, the farmers in Bible lands are sharpening their sickles and getting ready for the harvest. Harvest time has always been a season of great contrasts. There was much hard work to be done, but there were occasions to celebrate a fruitful harvest. The Jews observed the Feast of Pentecost during this season. From the Passover in April until the month of June, they set aside a special time to thank YHVH for His blessings on the land.