"You shall not plant your vineyard with two
kinds of seed, lest the whole crop be forfeited...
the seed which you have sown and the yield
of the vineyard forfeited to the sanctuary."
Deuteronomy 22:9
Like the other commands listed with this one,
the prohibition against sowing two kinds of seeds in the
same vineyard is an issue of integrity.
This is the same reason we are instructed not to plow
with an ox and a donkey yoked together,
or wear clothing woven with mixed thread-
the integrity is weakened because the two will be
constantly fighting and pulling against one another.
The results will be uneven, unequal, unreliable, and impure.
It is the same principle that Paul teaches when he says,
"Become not unequally yoked with unbelievers..."
(2 Corinthians 6:14)
We are to be pure, that we may be strong
and free from compromise.
The command is rich with meaning-it doesn't stop with
the prohibition, but it also gives further instructions in
the event it is violated. We need to realize that when we
sow two kinds of seed in the same vineyard, both crops
will grow. The crops of compromised integrity will
bring forth fruit-but "the full produce...and the increase...
must be set apart and forfeited."
This is a great truth here: when we sow in compromise,
we have to watch and wait for the impure crop to mature-
all the while knowing that we are not to partake of its yield.
But we have to ask ourselves, "Why would anyone violate
this command, knowing in advance that the fruit will be defiled?"
The violation speaks to our sinful nature, which naturally
lacks integrity. Our flesh makes decisions based on the
moment, giving no heed to the future.
So we sow in compromise, thinking that the ends will
surely justify the means, and we fail to see the long-term
consequences to our short-lived deeds.
We may have the most noble of intentions, but the crops
we plant in compromise will unavoidably grow to maturity.
Then the error of our ways will be painfully evident as
we reap the fruit of the crops, knowing we can
never receive their reward.
As we grow toward maturity, there are times when we
have no choice but to stand by and painfully watch the crops
of compromise grow in our lives. It hurts, because as much as
we wanted the fruit when we first sowed the seeds, we now know
that the increase must be forfeited when harvest time finally comes.
So we have a choice: obey and forfeit our yield, or take the harvest
home anyway-and continue to reap impurity every day of our lives.
Lay down the yield of your compromised crops today, and
bring in the harvest of integrity...
TODAY'S PRAYER REQUEST
Lord, make me pure-
keep me from compromise,
and teach me to not sow my seed
where the harvest must be forsaken.
Abba, show me what it means to live a life
of integrity, that I may be able to refuse
the lure of my sinful nature.
I praise You, Abba Father, with clean hands and
a pure heart. Thank You for making me new, and for
leading me to a brand new vineyard that will only
bring forth the fruits of joy...
Amen and Amen
Don't Let Me Fall Away
Zemer Levav
(2007)
"Integrity Or Compromise"
A devotional reading by
Kevin Geoffrey
Taken from the book,
"Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional"
Messianic Jewish Devotionals For
Israel's Annual Feasts, Fasts, And
Appointed Times"
By Kevin Geoffrey
Perfect Word Publishing
(2007)
A ministry of Perfect Word Ministries
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