When you stand under any tree, especially one that is meant to bear fruits at a particular season, your expectations are high to get the fruit of its type, fresh to eat.
When this does not happen and all you see is a bare tree, with or without leaves, with not a single fruit ripe enough to eat, unripe or even budding, then you are deeply disappointed and confused because as you are aware this fruit grows and blooms at this time of the year
A man was fired from work because he could not deliver anymore what was agreed upon in the terms of the job when he was newly employed.
He called his boss all sorts of names especially a wicked TASK MASTER, he even went to the extent of suing him to court for unjust maltreatment but he lost the case when, the contract that had his signature on it was read out in court.
In this write-up the picture of the fig tree that was cursed (Mark 11:12-14) by Jesus comes to mind and also the one in His parable (Luke 13:6-9), both were fruitless and bore not fruit, the purpose for which they were created, especially in their season.
It is tempting to think the Lord Jesus was a bit harsh on this particular fig tree because he was hungry and needed a quick meal (pity frozen foods and fast food eateries were not available at that time!) but looking at the analogy above we probably would have done same because if one has been assigned to do a job one is expected to do it and do it well.
This analogy is quite extreme but it paints a DEFINITE picture of expectations and results.
When God said that anyone who is not useful to Him as expected would be replaced with stones and that any tree that bears no fruit would be cut down, I guess he was not joking.
He is very serious about being dutiful and focused
There are things expected of those who are put in positions because, for a purpose they were put there and they will be falling short if they do not measure up to expectations and standards
The preacher in Ecclesiastes 12:13 points out the conclusion of the whole matter by also connecting us with Matthew28: 19-20
My prayer is that the full meaning of this message yield appropriate fruit in individual hearts as it is read
WHEN WE ARE WILLING, WE SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND WITH HIS HELP
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