I have been thinking more about the similarities between warriors and workers in the harvest field. David’s best warriors were called Mighty Men. Information about these Mighty Men can be found in 1 Chronicles 11 & 12.
5. Both take action based on a promise. Warriors take action based on the promise of God. The Mighty Men supported the kingship of David so it could extend over all of Israel “as the LORD had promised.” (v. 11:10) They helped David accomplish his goals and objectives because they believed God was going to establish his kingdom.
Workers take action based on the promise of God that they will reap a harvest. They plant, water, and cultivate the crops believing that there will be fruits to harvest. They go out into the field to pick the fruit because they believe that God has prepared it.
6. They both do great things. The Mighty Men warriors killed lions and giant Egyptians and hundreds of enemy soldiers at one time. They risked their lives to get David a cup of water. (v. 11:19)
Workers harvest much fruit (John 15:8). There aren’t very many of them, so they are overworked. They can see that the fruit is ripe. They hate to see it go to waste. They stay out later and work harder than they might normally because they don’t want the harvest to rot.
7. They are both skilled. These warriors were armed with bows. They could shoot arrows and sling stones with both the right hand and the left hand (v. 12:1-2). They were able to handle the shield and spear (v. 12:8).
Workers in the harvest field need skill. It takes skill to pick the fruit without bruising it. Skill is required to harvest the crops with the least amount of effort so that more fruit can be picked during the time available. Workers need skill to know which fruits are perfectly ripe and which fruit still needs to spend a little more time on the vine.
8. Both are ready at all times. Warriors are ready for battle (v. 12:8). And they were armed (v. 12:1-2). They were so determined that their faces were set like the face of a lion (v. 12:8). And they were as fast as gazelles in the mountains (v. 12:8).
Workers need to be ready. Sometimes they know when they are going how to work in the fields. Sometimes in the course of their regular, daily activities opportunities arise to harvest. When those opportunities come up, they need to be ready.
Are you ready? 
Tags: laboring / working, working
