Exodus 34:21 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.”
You read these words and think, “But we’ve already covered this during the discussion of the Ten Commandments.” True, but this verse adds something that was not mentioned in the original Ten Commandments, the proviso about observing Sabbath even during harvest time.
I grew up on an Illinois farm when our equipment was much smaller and less capable. These days, the equipment is so large that moving it from one farm to another is a major operation in itself. But some things have not changed, and one of those is the dependence of farmers on the weather. Corn and soybeans must both be harvested once they are ripe, and if left in the field too long, the nutritional value deteriorates. At the same time, farmers need clear weather to harvest. Even in this age of grain dryers, harvesting wet crops is still a problem. And then there’s another thing: mud. The fields must be dry enough to bear the weight of the equipment without combines sinking in mud to their axles. Nobody wants to have to call a wrecker to haul out a huge piece of equipment.
Given these exigencies, it’s very tempting for farmers to harvest seven days a week without any rest. One thing my dad did of which I am quite proud is that he did not harvest on Sundays, no matter how urgent the situation seemed to be.
Why does God specifically mention refusing to harvest on the Sabbath? God knows how much we worry and how prone we are to allow fear to override faith. Remember the rules concerning manna? Even though manna collected during the week would spoil in 24 hours, manna collected on the day before the Sabbath remained good, preserved by divine intervention.
We are on home leave for a few months. Driving around, we can see that the corn and beans are both drying out, becoming ready to harvest. Farmers who have stored grain previously are loading it into large vehicles, selling last year’s grain so they will have room for this year’s. As harvest approaches, so does the temptation to run equipment 24/7 without a Sabbath break.
An AI summary of several articles on farmer fatigue produces the following:
Fatigue significantly contributes to farm accidents during harvest time. Studies indicate that the pressure to maximize harvest output, combined with long working hours and reduced sleep, heightens the risk of injuries. Farmers often work early mornings and late nights, sacrificing rest to meet deadlines, which can lead to impaired judgment and increased accident rates.
Research shows that fatigue is linked to various factors, including longer working hours, heat exposure, and even alcohol consumption, all of which can exacerbate the likelihood of agricultural incidents. Furthermore, specific demographics, such as younger or foreign-born workers, may be at a higher risk for fatigue-related injuries.
In an article entitled “Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season,” Emily Steele, from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, gives these warnings:
To prevent fatigue, farmers and agricultural workers should eat protein-packed snacks, not junk food, to maintain energy throughout the day. Drink plenty of water, do not just rely on caffeinated drinks. If possible, take short naps, frequent breaks, and energizing walks.
For a safe harvest, Illinois Extension recommends also performing routine maintenance, checking for electrical hazards, testing and repairing vehicle lights and signs, watching for overhead electrical hazards, and managing stress.
When the season gets busy, routine housekeeping is typically the first to fall off the to-do list. Test that all machinery lights work and if any reflectors or slow-moving vehicle signs need to be replaced. Also, take time to clean equipment.
“Layers of dirt or dust can obscure the driver’s view especially at sunrise and sunset, so take time to clean all cab windows,” says Rudolphi.
Combine fires are one of the most common and expensive types of fire incidents in production agriculture. They can also cause substantial setbacks during harvest.
Prevent debris fires by frequently blowing off debris with a portable leaf blower or air compressor, and inspect the engine compartment where chaff may have accumulated around bearings, belts and other moving parts. Check fuel or hydraulic system lines before harvest and replace any leaking, cracked, or worn-looking lines.
When in the field, keep an eye out for power lines, which are a threat to tall or extended farm equipment. Be aware of overhead power lines and plan a safe route. Survey the environment before beginning work, taking note of power lines and their location before moving any equipment or extending augers.
“Always work with a spotter when operating large machinery near power lines,” Rudolphi says. “Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.”
A few quick horror stories. In the fall of 1964, my grandfather was picking corn with a mounted picker on a Farmall M tractor. When cornstalks jammed under one of the split brakes, a fire broke out. Grandpa suffered a severe burn on his right leg and was hospitalized for at least a month. The father of one of my friends had to quit farming when he lost parts of both hands while clearing stalks from a corn picker without disengaging the power take-off. Another local farmer and his son were rushing to finish work on a Friday night so they could watch their high school football team play. The two men were electrocuted and died when the portable grain elevator they were pushing accidentally came into contact with a high-tension wire in the middle of the farm yard.
Harvest seasons can be dangerous wherever you are in the world. But you can reduce the danger if you will follow God’s commands and take a complete break on the Sabbath. Remember that if you are killed or disabled in an accident, the work will still be there and somebody will take care of it. And there’s another thing: trust the Lord of the harvest to guide you so that you and everyone working with you remain healthy and safe and that you bring in a bountiful harvest.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to recognize their need for Sabbath rest and take it, trusting You to care for their harvest. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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