One need not be a farmer by trade to understand the laws of sowing and reaping. If we sow potatoes, we will not reap corn. If we sow hay, we will not reap carrots. That which has been sown will be reaped. Let us briefly consider the spiritual harvest.

Sowing and reaping are inescapable in the spiritual realm (Romans 2:5-10). We cannot choose not to sow. Each day of our lives we will sow seed, either good or bad. It's up to us what is sown. Paul wrote, "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7). The very same law which applies to the potatoes and hay also applies to our words and deeds. If the seed sown is good, eternal life is the result (Romans 2:7). If not, indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:8-9).

Sowing and reaping are relative to one another in quantity. If, for example, we plant one potato seed, we would not expect to harvest a field full of potatoes. You get back relative to what you put in. Our spiritual harvest is much the same. Paul wrote, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6). In context, Paul applies these truths to our giving, but indeed, the principle holds true in all aspects of life. We cannot expect to be "Bible scholars" if we rarely study the Scriptures, nor can we expect to convert the world if we give little time to sharing the gospel.

Finally, sowing and reaping are sequential. I cannot expect fresh ripe vegetables from a garden just planted yesterday. It takes much work and time to finally reap the fruit of the seed which has been sown. It would seem that the apostle Paul wanted to leave the Galatians with this thought, as he wrote, "...let us not grow weary while doig good works, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9). The harvest is lost to those who quit. Our reward may not be present today, but if we will not lose heart, we shall reap the fruits of our labour "in due season".

We are all sowing, but what are we sowing? We all shall reap, but what shall we reap?

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Is incest forbidden? Some Bible passages condemn incestuous marriages (Leviticus 18:9, 12; 20:17, 19; Deuteronomy 27:22), but others do not (Genesis 20:12; 17:16; Exodus 6:20). Is there a contradiction?