Ruth-Week 2-Part 1

Our study of Ruth this week brought to mind 2 points. So, yea to our Bible Study leader, it is worthy of 2 entries!

One point that we studied is the barley harvest and how that actually worked in "Bible times", without today's technology. It was actually a detailed process and I am again reminded of how the Bible often teaches with real world connections to everyday life.

Barley Harvest Step 1--Cutting the plants
This was done with a large scythe--you know that long, curved blade on the end of a long pole. The workers swung these in long arches to cut down the tall stalks. It made me think of the first thing you do when you meet people. You "swing out" in general questions to learn a little about them.

Barley Harvest Step 2--Bundling the Sheaths
Workers would come behind the cutters and grab up a bundle of the tall stalks. They would then wrap these into bundles. Isn't this what you mentally do when you meet someone? Once you get to know a little about them, you begin to bundle them to you and perhaps your friends that have a mutual interests or concerns.

Barley Harvest Step 3--Thrashing
The bundles of barley stalks would be taken to the thrashing floor and simply through shaking and beating them against something the grains are loosened from the stems. Relationships often go through a thrashing as well. As we get to know others better we find out about how they have been "thrashed" by life. In both cases, this takes alot of time and it is alot of work, leaving you very tired and worn!

Barley Harvest Step 4--Getting Rid of the Chaff
Once the grains are loose, it is important to get rid of the waste. The stems are often burned or recycled in other ways. Sometimes the stems, leaves, etc. were mixed with mud to make bricks. The seeds themselves are also covered in loose bits and "skins" that have to be separated. This separation is easily done by gathering the seeds in a flat basket and tossing the seeds in the air, letting the wind take away the light weight chaff. In our relationship scenario, this likens itself to support groups in which we gather and bounce ideas off of one another, getting rid of the bad thoughts and keeping the good. How awesome if we can actually reuse what we learn and make "bricks" of thoughts that help support us later.

Barley Harvest Step 5--Using the Barley
This is actually multiple steps as well that include roasting the seed, grinding the seed into flour, and then using it for baking bread. In other words, recognizing and celebrating why you went to all that hard work--in order to feed yourself and others and make bodies stronger so that they can go out and work some more.

As in so many areas, we see a cycle of work and relax, of effort and comfort--a cycle where each step is valuable and can't be skipped--the need to be thorough--and a never ending process.

So, what step of your harvest will you be working on today?