You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled. (Deuteronomy 22:9)
This instruction, in conjunction with other similar commands, prohibits the mingling of mutually exclusive kinds. In the beginning, the Creator made definite distinctions in the natural world that were intended to remain exclusive. For instance, on Day One, He distinguished Day and Night, light and darkness. On Day Two, He established the firmament in order to divide the waters above from the waters below. These distinctions brought order to the Universe and, therefore, it is wrong — and potentially dangerous — for mankind to blur the boundaries defined by God.
In that line of thought, the passage above specifically addresses the prohibition against sowing a vineyard (or a field; see Leviticus 19:19) with different kinds of seed. In Hebrew, this prohibition is called כלאים kilayim, a word that stems from a root meaning, “to restrain.” In other words, there is a hint that using different varieties of seed in the same vineyard might restrain or restrict the growth of the vineyard. Furthermore, given that the vineyard — the seed and the fruit — are defiled because of this mixing, suggests the end result is destruction. In fact, the Hebrew term translated as “defiled” literally means “to become consecrated” -– that is, consecrated for destruction in the flames.
What are we to learn from this? When we allow the world to sow its corrupt seed in our lives through whatever means, the potential exists for the work God is doing in us to become corrupted. That is not to say, God’s work is inferior, but it is to say that we have the responsibility to guard against another seed — another Gospel — being sown lest it defile us. In the end, that which does not bring forth good fruit is cast into the fire. In the parable of the Wheat and Tares, the tares are burned in the fire. It is necessary, then, that we remain watchful, prayerful and grounded in the Word so that we may recognize the devices of the enemy and not allow another seed to be sown into our lives. So in that light, remember the words of Messiah who said:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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