And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof. (2 Kings 19:29)
The Lord gave many signs through the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 20:9-11; Isa. 7:11, 14; 8:18; 20:2, 3). During the remainder of the current year the people would be able to find enough to eat from the aftergrowth in the field; he next year (probably sabbatical), they would also be able to obtain sufficient food from the regrowth; and in the following year they would resume the usual sowing and reaping. Normal agricultural activities had been interrupted by the presence of the Assyrian armies in the land.