440. JOH 15:1. JEHOVAH LIKENED TO A HUSBANDMAN

Joh_15:1. Jehovah Likened To A Husbandman

"My Father is the husbandman."’97Joh_15:1.

Rural and agricultural figures are often made use of to express the relationship between God and his people. The church is sometimes represented as the garden of the Lord, the Lord’s plantation, or the field of grain, ripening for a joyous and an abundant harvest. The figure of a vineyard is very often employed by the ancient prophets. Isaiah says, "My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill," &c., Isa_5:1; and see also, Jer_2:21, &c.; Eze_19:10; and Joe_1:7. The Saviour adopts the same emblem, and says, I am the true vine and "my Father is the husbandman," or the proprietor and dresser of the vine. As a husbandman let us consider,

I. Jehovah’s Vineyard.

This is his church. And this vineyard of the Lord,

1. Was originally a waste.

Sin blighted both the powers and condition of man. Robbed him of his righteousness and bliss, and also his dominion and estate. Left him barren of true good. Now God by his providence and grace, transforms this sterile waste and makes it a delightful vineyard to himself. Thus the prophet speaks of him, "gathering out the stones," &c., Isa_5:2. He makes all things new. This vineyard,

2. Became the object of his choice and care.

He fixed his gracious regards upon it. He resolved to form a people for himself To bring out of sterility a vineyard, to yield abundantly its cheering and refreshing fruit. To this end he planted it with plants of righteousness. He walls it round with the protecting fence of his presence and love. He raises up men to attend to its cultivation. He employs laborers to work in it.

3. On this vineyard he communicates the means of fruitfulness.

The vine-owner must depend upon the benign blessings of heaven. He must rest on his goodness who sends the fruitful shower, the genial beams of the sun, and favorable seasons of increase. Jehovah has all these resources within himself. He gives to his spiritual vineyard, the teeming rains, the enriching dews. The cheering rays of light and heat. He gives his word, his ordinances, his spiritual influences, and causeth his favors there to descend, even life for evermore.

4. From this vineyard he expects an adequate return of fruit.

The end of a vineyard is the obtaining of fruit. The husbandman expects this, reasonably looks for it; and looks for it in proportion to the means expended, and the favorable situation the vineyard occupies. Thus God expects a return of fruit from his church. He blesses them that they maybe manifest blessings. He enlightens that they may shine, &c. He expects from them a return of heart fruit’97holy dispositions, desires, tempers, thoughts, &c.; lip fruit’97a wise and edifying conversation; life fruit’97a constant regard to himself, by reverence, fear, grateful acknowledgments, supreme love, &c. And towards man, equity, truth, benevolence, and mercy. Over ourselves, vigilance, self-government, self-denial, &c. And God expects this fruit from all. But, from all, in proportion to their privileges and blessings. This fruit honors and pleases God; and is the best evidences that we can have, of our regeneration and acceptance with God. "He that is righteous doeth righteousness."

From the connective passage of our text, Jesus clearly teaches that union’97vital union to him is essential to fruitfulness That all believers are branches of him, who is God’s precious vine. And severed from him, we could yield no fruit. God has given him to be head over all things to his church. He is the great and only medium of life and salvation, Let us consider.

II. The Characteristics of Jehovah as the Husbandman of his Church. Consider,

1. His infinite knowledge and wisdom.

All his plans and arrangements are grounded on wisdom that never errs. He adapts all means to their right and proper and. He knows all concerning his vineyard. What is best for it, &c.

2. His unbounded resources.

He has all things within the limit of his power. All events he can control. All kinds of seasons he can command. All evil he can avert. And all that is good and benign he can effect.

3. His unfailing fidelity.

He has made many gracious engagements with his people. Has given them many precious promises. But he never fails in executing his plans, and accomplishing his purposes. He forsaketh not the work of his hands. And he will finally make all things to redound to the eternal honor and glory of his name.

Application

1. Learn the happiness and safety of God’s people.

2. The righteous claims which God has upon them.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS