Spiritual Growth
Treasures in Egypt – Part 1
Seasons
As with Joseph in the Book of Genesis, we all have an Egypt in our lives accompanied with the various seasons it imposes upon us. Whether a season of hilarious joy or one of breath-snatching grief, we eventually discover there is treasure in every season.
Nature’s seasons exist to signal certain actions on humanity’s part. Likewise, there are spiritual seasons in our lives that are designed to initiate certain actions regardless of whether you are Christian or not. As God designed seasons for the natural realm so spiritual seasons are designed for humanity to nurture spiritual growth, maturation, and production in the spiritual realm.
Growth, maturity, and productivity are expected responses and responsibilities of all living. If we have correctly responded to each season, the barren winters will hold no sudden terror because we will have sustenance from what we have planted, nurtured, gathered, and stored from previous seasons.
For the sake of narrowing my focus, spiritual growth addressed here is regarding Christians, although points presented can be easily applied to all people perhaps in different terms.
Naturally Nature
Let’s review what generally happens in nature during each season and compare that to spiritual seasons.
Spring
It’s the perfect time for tilling, planting, and applying herbicides. Tilling loosens and aerates the soil while bringing buried debris to the surface. It levels the ground to create seedbeds for planting. For optimum growth certain plants are planted at certain times. Herbicides are applied to stop weed growth before it starts minimizing competition for space and nutrients. It is the rainy season so sufficient moisture is naturally supplied to get the growing process started.
Spiritual Spring
It’s also a time for turning things inside out and upside down. A time of reflection where there is mental sorting of what is working and what is not. It is a time of tracing the steps of your vision board and placing that over the template of the calling of God. Do they appear as one or do you see you have taken the liberties?
Okay, okay, I know, I’ve plucked a nerve on those who want to be free to choose your destination. Guess what? You can. But here’s the thing, if you plant a tomato, wouldn’t you expect a tomato to grow? Or does the tomato plant grow up wondering who he is and seek yet to be something else? The tomato can’t even come close to being zucchini although it may want to. The choice it has is to be the best, plumpest tomato it can be by using what was given it naturally! We, as Christians must operate in the calling of God as He has called us and not seek to emulate others or go after diversions presented in the world.
So, it is a time of separating the fruits of the Spirit from the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-23). Stripping away and cleansing of unprofitable traditions, habits, vices that have accumulated over time.
Application of the Word of God identifies, purges, cleanses (Ephesians 5:25-26) any “weed” that has taken or tries to anchor in your life. God also sends people in your life to provide godly guidance to counter conditions that prevent or stunt growth.
Summer
On the long, hot days of summer, nutrients are continuously supplied to grow and maintain healthy plants. Plants are routinely pruned and trimmed to remove diseased or dead sections and to control growth thereby encouraging branching and blooming. Some are staked for needed support as they grow. All are monitored and treated for diseases and pests. Manual irrigation becomes necessary in this season as the days are hotter, longer and rainfall has decreased.
Spiritual Summer
In this season Christians must continue feeding on the Word of God, fellowship with like-minded people and establish or seek a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If any of these things lack, it will show up as a blight or dis-eased spot in their lives that needs to be eradicated before it spreads further.
Christians are “staked” to Christ (we have Holy Spirit dwelling in us) and are pruned to produce more fruit (John 15:1-8). God also provides us with nutrient enriched members of the Body of Christ that can speak into our lives to provide additional support (Ephesians 4:11-15). The Armor of God is our weapon to ensure the spiritual pests such as vices, temptations, or sin do not encroach without a counter offense (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Fall
In the cool crisp Fall, mature crops are harvested and prepared for the market and/or storage. Crops that don’t meet market quality are either tilled backed into the soil or if possible, used for animal feed.
What can cause the crop to fail to be market-ready?
- Harsh Weather Conditions
- Extreme heat or cold and unpredictable weather patterns.
- Pests and Diseases
- Lack of chemical applications to combat these conditions.
- Poor Farming Practices
- A lack of knowledge concerning all aspects of the process.
- Human Activities
- Increased greenhouse gases leading to acid rain.
Spiritual Fall
All the growing and nurturing has been done to ripen the fruit and gifts that God gave us (Ephesians 4: 1-2,7- 13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and this is the time to put them in service (Romans 12:1-8). If God gifted you with faith, use it, whatever the gift, it is the season to work it. For in working it, you hone it. It is also time to store lessons from those who model your gift well. Gather information from those that are seasoned in your gifting (reference Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings chapter 2). Gather information to consume immediately and gather even more to store for consumption during the winter season when everything is still and quiet. It is then you are more inclined to listen as Holy Spirit speaks and guides you through the winter season.
Winter
Winter is harsh in certain climates so most efforts are spent planning and incorporating infrastructure improvements and servicing equipment. Preparations are made for the upcoming planting season by determining what crops will be planted or if a particular field should lie fallow. Seed and supplies are purchased.
If the farmer has done it right, his spring will be as anticipated.
Spiritual Winter
John 12:23-25 NIV
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
We all as Christians want to be seen in the light of God’s glory, right? We all want to exhibit good fruit and lead the way for the lost to escape the eternal darkness to come. To be clothed with his glory to touch your world, you must “hate” yourself, that is, place yourself second to Christ’s will. If we choose Christ first then we “die” to self. When we die to self, we are raised in His glory.
Natural winters are barren, dry, and appear to be a fruitless time. The spiritual winter is harsh as well. It is a time of struggle and uncertainty. The struggle could be the loss of a loved one, divorce, depression, foreclosure, loneliness, illness, etc. This also is a dry season. A time that once was spiritually lucrative with powerful prayers and moving of God’s Spirit in the seasons before, has now transitioned to prayers that seem to hit the ceiling and fall back on your lips. You don’t feel life inside. You don’t feel.
Listen up! You are buried.
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
You are spiritually buried and you have a decision to make!
That decision is to feed on the faith and trust in what you have already done in Christ and stored in your spiritual storehouse from the seasons before or fall prey to the struggle and allow it to feed on you.
It is time of silent reflection, assessment, and prayer for the purpose of God to rise out of the ashes of the pain that entombs you. Holy Spirit has your undivided attention and He can begin to sketch out God’s plan for you. Funny thing about the Lord, He will give you a vision of your future but will not map the route. That is intentional. He wants you to lean on Him. He knows you can’t do this without Him, so stop trying.
If your storehouse is lacking or filled with diseased seed such as works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) your situation moves from struggle to survival. There are more steps, soul searching to your recovery. Plans made without resolving “sin” are superficial and they won’t carry you far. The farmer can jury rig his equipment and it may look good in the barn but when it gets out in the field to perform, it won’t be long before it falls apart.
In summary, winters are tough, however, they are not designed to destroy you but to build you. To make you a better version of yourself than before. If you look through those lenses, you will realize that life happens but that life breeds another life, another goal, a new vision, a reason to live. You may not understand or see it immediately, it may take years, but there is life beyond winter.
Spiritual Seasons 4 Key Takeaways
- We cannot determine the length of any season in our lives but we can impact the length and the content of the season.
- The place you experience your spring and summer can also be the same place where you experience your winter and vice versa.
- Work the season you are in to yield excellence in the next.
- As you cycle through each season year after year you will began to discover there is treasure in every season.
Spiritual Season Takeaway #1
We cannot determine the length of any season in our lives but we can impact both the length and content of the season.
Takeaway #1 Illustrated – Joshua and the Gibeonites
Joshua 9:3-24 NKJV
3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended,
5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.
6 And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”
7 Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?”
8 But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.”
And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
9 So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt,
10 and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” ’
12 This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy.
13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”
14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
16 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.
17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. …
18 But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel…
19 Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.
20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”
21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”
22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us?
23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Israel’s mandate from God as a nation, was to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan. They did not. As a result, they changed their content and length of time they had to interact with the Gibeonites.
- Content Changed – they now must manage the Gibeonites as an enslaved people on a day-to-day basis.
- Length of Time Changed – the time dedicated to the Gibeonites is now without a foreseeable end.
After enslaving the Gibeonites, could Israel wash their hands of them? Was that season over?
King Saul Brings on a Famine
Next, we look at what happens when an oath is made and is either forgotten or disregarded. The effects of that faux paus had repercussions even on those who had nothing to do with disregarding Joshua’s oath. This teaches that your season doesn’t involve just God dealing with you and your understanding of the matter, it also includes others that will come on the scene to be in alignment. It’s like someone who gets a part in the play but doesn’t know their lines. The play is messed up for everyone.
2 Samuel 21:1-9,14 NKJV
1Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.”
2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah.
3 Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?”
4 And the Gibeonites said to him, “We will have no silver or gold from Saul or from his house, nor shall you kill any man in Israel for us.”
So he said, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”
5 Then they answered the king, “As for the man who consumed us and plotted against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the territories of Israel,
6 let seven men of his descendants be delivered to us, and we will hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, whom the Lord chose.”
And the king said, “I will give them.”
7 But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 So the king took … the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite;
9 and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged …
14 .. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.
The repercussions of Joshua’s oath and King Saul’s failure to honor it resulted in a famine 38 years after Joshua’s made the oath. The time between Joshua entering Canaan and David as King was approximately 38 years.
When you walk outside of God’s boundaries intentionally or not, there are consequences. Being deceived or forgetting a promise is not reason enough to fail to execute God’s commands.
Wrapping it Up
Nugget #1: Your Mouth, Your Mouth!
Note that Joshua made an oath contrary to God’s wishes but yet God honored it.
My observation is when you make a promise to someone even if it is contrary to what God told you to do, God honors the promise. How powerful then does God regard the words that come out of our mouths?
We are made in the image of God. Power is attached to our words. Our words can either create or destroy. As a Chrisitan God regards your word as His! Since, we are the face of God to the world, understand the weight of your words!
Nugget #2: Evicting the Caretaker
Joshua 9:24
24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
Here it is clearly seen that God had sent the word to the inhabitants of Canaan before Israel arrived that God was giving Israel the land.
God gave them opportunities to serve Him because Israel could not possess the land until the iniquity of the Canaanites was “full”, i.e., until He had enough of their sin (Genesis 15:15-16). At that point God used the inhabitants of Canaan to care for the Promised Land and to keep the population of wild animals under control until such time as Israel grew from 70 souls to three million in Egypt. When that time arrived, God served the people of Canaan eviction notices through Joshua.
Finally, to simply answer the question as to how one can lengthen and change the content of their season…
You can lengthen your season by not consulting God and waiting on His answer.
Next Publication
The next writing will cover Spiritual Season Takeaways 2-4.
- The place you experience your spring and summer can also be the same place where you experience your winter and vice versa.
- Work the season you are in to yield excellence in the next.
- As you cycle through each season year after year you will began to discover there is treasure in every season.
References
8 Pruning Mistakes to Avoid in Your Plant Care Routine – Bob Vila
gardeningchannel.com
Image of Gibeonites by Joe Henderson, patheo.com
Seedling image from Bibleconnection.com
Man with hands on head image from Alltop
Tilling, staling, crop images from bBing.com/images