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Malachi explains that the Israelites are robbing God through the withholding of tithes and offerings which also translates to the breaking of the terms of the Covenant, evidence of Israel’s backsliding
The rebellion of the Jews is not strange to God because it has been in their nature, yet God appeals that they return to him
The tithe is a tenth of the produce of the land (Deut 12:6), while offerings are free-will and mandatory gifts which include agricultural produce, material goods, or personal valuables, given to the Lord or his sanctuary usually as thank-offering in recognition of God’s goodness and generosity
Israel as a nation thus came under a curse because they failed to follow the covenant commitment, hence denying themselves of God’s blessings.
Now, God reassures them of abundant harvests and safety from pestilence if they return to him and do the needful
Jesus said his nourishment comes from doing and completing the will of God.
The people are familiar with the regular harvest time but here is the dawn of the spiritual harvest season.
Asking the disciples to open their eyes is figurative because they were not literarily closed.
More to the agricultural season is the season of soul-winning, for through the ministry of Jesus, the earth has become ripe for harvest.
The Samaritans' response to Jesus’ message proves that the harvest has already begun in the history of salvation.
Jesus further instructed his disciples to go out to reap the benefits of the labor of laborers before them.
In this context, reaping the labor of others is not a material gain of other people’s wealth but the winning of souls by building on the works of the laborers (prophets) that have been before them.