Wheat Harvest (1)

View of a woman out harvesting a meager wheat crop in the Negev of Israel in the spring of the year.  She is dressed in her typical black garment and is bent over as she cuts, or pulls out, the wheat.  Note the small piles of wheat just this side of the woman.

The soil that is visible is the windblown loess soil of the Negev (southern) region of Israel.  In this area a good crop of wheat (or barley) is to be expected only one out of every four years. 

Note the prayer of the psalmist “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.  5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.   (Psalm 126:4-7, NIV).