Question Box
Good News Magazine
February 1961
Volume: Vol X, No. 2
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Question Box
Good News Staff  

Does the command of Leviticus 19:23-25 apply today? If so, how does it apply, and how do we count the ages of our trees?

   Read these verses yourself.
   This command concerns a principle that still applies today. The three years in which fruit is prohibited pertains to the age of the tree — from the time it came up, or was rooted — not the number of years it has been bearing.
   Scripture tells us that in the fourth year — after three years of growth — the fruit is holy, to be used in praising God. In ancient Israel it was given to the priests and Levites, along with the tithes, for their personal use. Today we praise God with the fruit by giving it to His work. Verse 25 tells us that "in the fifth year shall ye (the owner) eat of the fruit thereof." Notice, also, in this verse that God promises to bless the increase of our trees — make them more productive — if we obey this command.
   This law pertains only to trees that bear fruit, and does not pertain to small shrubs, bushes, brambles, and grape vines or olives. These latter types of fruit, having n different length of life span and production cycle, are classified with field crops, as is shown in the laws of gleaning (Lev. 19:9-10) and of the sabbatical — year rest for the land (Lev. 25:3-5), God makes a clear distinction between these small fruits and the trees hearing fruit, which are dealt with in this law of Leviticus 19:23-25.
   If we are diligent in obeying God in this matter, and also take proper care in the management of our fruit trees, God will cause them to provide us with fruit for many years.

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Good News MagazineFebruary 1961Vol X, No. 2