A nation's rise and fall.
If the emblem chosen to represent the Hebrew kings was a lion, "the lion of the tribe of Judah," the emblem of the nation was a vine. The vine was indigenous in the land; the whole territory was a vineyard. As the vine is chief among trees for fruitfulness, so Israel, on account of superior advantage, was expected to be chief among the nations for spiritual productiveness. The fruits of piety and righteousness ought to have abounded on every branch.
I. HER FAME.
1. It was a vine of the noblest quality. Her sap was rich; like Blood. She was of the choicest sort. Abraham was the parent stock, and Abraham was the highest kind of man—"the friend of God."
2. This vine was well situated. Of all lands God had chosen Canaan for the abode of his people. It had been chosen by unerring Wisdom, and prepared by omnipotent power. It lay central among the nations; it had natural excellence; it was the glory of all lands. Sharon and Carmel and Lebanon are still the synonyms for splendid fertility.
3. This vine actually flourished. "Her stature was exalted." "She had strong rods." Prosperity was not only possible; it was matter of fact. The vine bare prolifically. During the reigns of David and Solomon the people enjoyed an enviable prosperity. Wealth increased. Knowledge spread. Religion flourished. The people thronged to offer sacrifices. The sabbath was a delight. A magnificent temple was erected. The Jewish empire grew. Surrounding nations honoured the people that God had so signally blessed. Peace abounded in the land. There was contentment, order, plenty, national fame. Such rapid progress had never been known. What had been thus gained could have been maintained. The vine that has so nobly borne fruit can bear fruit still.
II. HER FOLLY. The fault of Israel is here rather implied than expressed. Her sin was unfruitfulness. Instead of pruning the rank branches of this vine, the husbandmen allowed them to grow; and soon all the strength of the tree ran out in branch and leaf. Instead of caring for clusters of holy fruit, "she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule." The nation was bent rather upon display, showy magnificence, military glory, than upon the works of righteousness and religion. The rank and luxuriant growths of idolatry took the place of fruitful piety. There was a fever of self-exaltation. The people imagined they could live upon their past fame. The kings became incarnations of selfishness, and the people, like a flock of sheep, eagerly followed the base example. Unfruitfulness was her folly and her curse. A vine is worse than useless unless it bears fruit; and Israel was worse than useless in the world when she threw aside her loyalty to God.
III. HER FALL. "She was plucked up in fury." A storm swept over her, which rooted her out of the ground. Here is depicted:
1. The vine's prostrate state. It was laid low. This is a graphic description of Israel's defeat in war. In David's day, no neighbouring king dared to whisper any defiance to Israel; now every surrounding army had made raids upon her territory and despoiled her possessions. The capitals, Jerusalem and Samaria, had been besieged and captured.
2. Demolition of the strong branches. The royal sceptre was broken. At this moment the king was a vassal, under tribute to the King of Babylon. Kingly rule was only a shadow and a pretence. Every strong arm in Judaea was withered.
3. The element of destruction had issued out of itself. "A fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit." This language implies that it was the sin of her kings that brought about this terrible downfall. Had it not been for internal vice and folly, no foreign foe could have done Israel harm. For the arm of Jehovah was round about her. Sin has always the seed of punishment within itself. The fire came from within.
4. Yet there is a circumstance of hope. The vine is not left prostrate—unrooted. The Divine Husbandman has intentions of future kindness. The vine shall again be planted in the land of Israel; meanwhile "it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground." This precludes despair. This preservation of the vine nourishes hope. But compared with former favours and privileges, this captivity is a barren wilderness. Bare preservation of life is all that can there be expected. Such disaster is fitting theme for human lamentation. What material for sorrow is supplied by wanton guilt!—D.
HOMILIES BY W. JONES