A commentary by Randy Stiver

Obviously, the “plowing of the wicked” can’t be a good thing. In fact, that’s precisely the case. It also sounds proverb-ish because it’s based on Proverbs 21:4.

“A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.”

During God’s seven Days of Unleavened Bread we, as part of God’s faithful, avoid bread made, or “plowed”, as it were, with leavening (yeast, baking soda or other leavening agents—including sourdough). We know the meaning of getting rid of sin and its haughty or puffed-up outlook.

God’s law of plowing

“You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (Deut. 22:10).

Physically, it’s the principle of “like with like.” Donkeys and oxen are not “like” each other when it comes to plowing. A donkey or an even an even larger mule (which typically is half horse and half donkey) can effectively pull together only provided they are similar sized.

However the typical donkey is small, and the ox is big. The yoke is the most effective pulling apparatus for oxen, but not for donkeys which need a harness. Nor are their strides similar—another critical requirement for teamed pulling.

We today are among the few called out of this evil, end-time world. Those not called at this era are spiritually unmixable with true Church of God. Spiritual plowing time for us in the true, historic Church of God – is now!

Plowing toward the future

God’s inexorable, intervening power through Jesus Christ comes soon. The plan of salvation through the intervention of God’s calling to true repentance will be ultimately extended to everybody who will have ever lived. The repentant faithful will plow positively straight furrows. Then we, and they, will finally be equally yoked in truth and righteousness before God.

Plowing sin vs. plowing righteousness

God inspired Job to record the “cause and effect” plowing observation of his friend Eliphaz the Temanite:

“Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same” (Job 4:8).

It appears to be a harsh accusation against Job for supposedly causing his own trouble by secret sins. A valid observation, but greatly misapplied to Job—as he truly was a faithful and righteous man.

What about not plowing at all? “The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing” (Proverbs. 20:4). Being too lazy to plow the ground for planting is in effect “plowing” the sin of laziness. Consider the great, spiritual danger of being the lazy plowman or plow-woman!

“Plowing” as national punishment

Hosea the prophet wrote during the early to mid-700s B.C. This was the very time that the Assyrian Empire conquered and took into captivity the northern 10 tribes of Israel who had been led by the tribe of Ephraim.

“Ephraim is a trained heifer, that loves to thresh grain; But I harnessed her fair neck, I will make Ephraim pull a plow. Judah shall plow; Jacob shall break his clods” (Hosea 10:11).

The tribes of Israel plowed crooked, spiritual rows to their own hurt. Let us as modern plowers beware!

“Plowing” for repentance

There is also repentance plowing, as well as “promise” plowing for the lost 10 Tribes of Israel (as well as for all humanity):

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground [by plowing], for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12).

Hosea goes on to explain the cause and effect of bad vs. good plowing for both ancient as well as the modern Israelite nations (mainly the America, Britain and the northwest, European nations):

“You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men (Hosea 10:13).

Our modern nations have put their hands to the plow wrongly—and will ultimately suffer for it: “Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into gall, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood” (Amos 6:12).

Plowing to the Kingdom of God

Our great Lord Jesus Christ also lovingly but clearly admonishes His true Church: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

As we progress through the Days of Unleavened Bread and concentrate on de-leavening our lives of sin, we are strengthening our hands on the plow of truth.

Let us therefore, with all our might and with all the might that God may give us, plow straight furrows that will yield large spiritual harvests when our Savior returns to earth!  

*This originally appeared as a weekly note sent to my local congregation. If you wish to reprint this commentary or learn more about how to do so, please contact me in the comments below. I reserve my rights to this content, it is not in the public domain for use or reprint without my permission.