GENERAL
COLUMN | RUBRIEK
From the Word
Mahlogonolo a letsatsi
la matshalo Senwes
H
appy birthday, geluk or mahlogonolo a letsatsi la matsha-
lo Senwes. In short it means "congratulations Senwes".
Our producers in South Africa know the different ways of
congratulating someone. It doesn't matter how you say it.
Senwes will be turning 110 on 15 May 2019.
Talking about 15 May. Did you know that the Department of Agricul-
ture in the United States was established on this same day in 1862,
157 years ago. Other agricultural news is that in 1625, almost 400
years ago, 15 rebel producers were murdered in Vocklam, Austria.
Senwes shares this day with world famous former boxer, Rocky
Marciano, who beat Jersey Joe Walcott on 15 May 1953. One of
the best softball players was Joe DiMaggio and on this specific
day in 1936, he won his 56th consecutive match with at least one
home run. Other news is that Napoleon arrived in Milan in 1796 and
Amy Johnson flew from South Africa to Croydon in England on this
day in 1936 in a record time of 4 days and 16 hours.
The Nampo Harvest Day will also be held during the time of Sen-
wes' birthday - it starts on 15 May and will continue until 18 May
this year.
Enjoy the coming time - it is harvest time - or you can say in in any
of the 11 official languages, such as Setswana, Nako ya puno e
atumetse!
Aubrey Kruger
EDITOR
02
SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2019
Rev Willie Botha
Do you bear fruit?
Read Luke 13:6-9
THE FIG TREE HAS often been regarded as a symbol of
blessing in the history of Israel. Deuteronomy 8 acknowledg-
es the fig tree as part of God's blessings and the attraction
of the Promised Land. The fig tree is also pertinently referred
to in the Garden of Eden. For a Jew it was a huge privilege
to sit under his own grapevine or fig tree. It was symbolic of
success, peace and happiness.
It takes three years for a fig tree to bear its first fruit.
According to the law as described in Leviticus 19, the fruit
of the first three years may not be eaten. In this parable the
tree was therefore 6 or 9 years old. This tree, which was at
the peak of its productive life, could bear fruit three times in
one season.
The owner of the orchard looks for figs on the tree. Since
no fruit is found after three years, he orders the tree to be
chopped out. Instead of bearing fruit, it is exhausting the soil
and preventing other fruit trees from bearing fruit.
The landowner is none other than God, while the tree rep-
resents the Jewish nation. Jesus is probably the gardener.
Jesus taught his people for three years, but the Jews did not
believe him. God came to them, He came to look for them,
but He did not find a nation living according to His will.
After the tree was judged, the Gardener brings a request.
"Give the tree another chance - I will fertilise it and loosen
the soil around the tree. It may even bear fruit next year. If
the tree does not respond to this care, You may chop it out.”
The parable emphasises the grace of God and it applies
to all humanity. Summer passes slowly but surely - God's
grace also does not last indefinitely. There comes a time
when the tree has to bear fruit to fulfil its destiny. Some trees
bear fruit from a young age, while others start much later.
Jesus invests a lot of time and trouble in each person's tree.
Through His Spirit he loosens soil and fertilises to enable us
to fulfil our destinies, namely to bear fruit in God's orchard.
He represents us with God in an attempt to prevent the
judgement of God being carried out. What will Jesus find on
your fig tree? Please note: The summer is nearing its end.