On the third day of creation, God spoke, and the earth became an agricultural utopia for a brief time. Early farmers likely began with the collection and replanting of self-pollinating seeds like wheat and barley. The discovery of plant cuttings and removing offshoots enabled some cultivation of fruit crops, but it was not until the discovery of grafting that they could consistently cultivate fruit trees. Grafting, a practice over 4,000 years old, involves joining two plants so tightly that they grow into one, accelerating fruitfulness, improving growth rates, and increasing hardiness. Successful grafting depends on compatibility, alignment and pressure, and proper care of the graft site to keep it alive, hydrated, and free of disease. God refers to His people as the branch of His planting, a work of His hands, ensuring their righteousness and eternal inheritance to His glory. The planting of a branch, akin to grafting, signifies being established and fastened. God the Father plants His people, grafting them into a tight union with His Son, Jesus Christ, so they may be called trees of righteousness. As branches grafted to the holy Root, they receive nourishment through His Spirit to produce fruit. God, the Vinedresser, prunes branches that bear fruit to yield more and removes those that do not. The branches must remain aligned with Christ, striving for holiness, maintaining the union through daily care, and producing the fruit of self-sacrificial love. Through this grafted union, the branches of God's planting grow strong, transformed into righteous, holy branches that glorify Him.

In the cycle of seasons, which mirrors God's creation, there is a time for planting and a time for harvesting, each activity suited to specific moments as dictated by the laws He has established. Just as a farmer does not plant or harvest all year but works within the seasonal cycles to achieve his purpose of feeding his family and selling crops, so does God operate within a pattern of planting and harvesting. God plants seeds of belief and spiritual truth, imparting understanding that empowers those who receive it to succeed in the spiritual process that Jesus Christ completed. He prepares the soil by disturbing it, scatters the seed of His truth through His human servants, waters it with the Holy Spirit, and tends to its growth personally alongside His ordained servants. The church plays a role in this process, promoting belief and providing a conducive environment for the seed to mature by publishing truth and encouraging faith.

In the cycle of farming, planting holds a vital place, marking the beginning of a laborious yet rewarding journey. Farmers must clear their land, break up the clods, and prepare the soil for spring. They plant the seed with care, ensuring that water reaches the crop through irrigation or rain. Vigilance is required to protect the young plants from insects and grazing animals that might destroy the new planting. This diligent effort is crucial, for if they remain steadfast and labor wisely, they can look forward to a bountiful harvest as their reward. However, if they are slack in their duties, the reward may be poor or even non-existent. The act of planting extends beyond the physical to a deeper significance. When we sow seeds of righteousness, living in loving kindness and faithfulness, we receive mercy and reward in greater proportion than what was planted. God instructs us to break up the fallow ground, the unseeded areas of our hearts, humbling ourselves in the places we resist Him. By preparing the soil of our stubborn hearts and seeding it properly, righteousness may grow. We are to continue this work until He comes, and if we follow these instructions, He will rain righteousness and wonderful teaching upon us, increasing our understanding and preparing us for the marvelous things He has in store.