The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 307

were placed first in opportunity have been found last in attainment. Privilege, favour, education, help of all kinds, have been at their disposal, and yet the results which had been designed for them, and which so smely should have been theirs, they have missed ( cf. Matt. xi., "Woe unto thee, I3ethsaiua !" etc.). And in ordinary life, o.s well as in the records of the Bible, may we learn bow frequently, not the strong and mighty, but "the lame take the prey." The first are last and the last first. Now, of such sad and shameful failures these verses supply a notable instance. Under the imagery of a green olive tree, fair and of goodly fruit, the prophet pictures the condition and prospects of the people of G-od when he first planted them. No similitude could more strikingly convey to the mind of the inhabitant of Judah and Jerusalem the idea of happy and sure prosperity. But, next, the prophet portrays a far different scene-that same tree, but black and charred, its trunk riven, its fruit and foliage all gone, and its branches broken down ; for the thunderbolt and the scathing lightning, the wild tempest and the fierce wind, have all done their deadly work upon it, and now it stands a mere blackened stump, instead of the beauteous and fruitful tree it once was. From that height of favour to tbat depth of disaster were Judah and Jerusalem to fall. They who had beon first should be last. I. TnEY WERE FIRST. The imagery employed by the prophet tells in what respects. l. In the favour of God. The olive was a favourite tree, held in highest esteem by the people of the lands where it grew; hence it is used here and elsewhere as an emblem of those whom God favours and has pleasure in (of." I am like a green olive tree in the house of my God," Ps. Iii. 8). The Bible seems to love the tree. It is the first named of any known tree (Gen. viii. 11), and is the subject of the first parable (J udg. ix. 8). It is everywhere spoken of as precious; hence, when Judah and J crnsalem are thus named, we regard it as a name of endearment, telling how precious they were in God's sight. This is borne out by direct statements and by the recorded deeds of God, which show the esteem in which he held them. 2. In beauty. No doubt the beauty of the olive tree exists _partly in the eyes of the beholder, who looks upon it with affection for all the service it renders him. But to others also there is unquestionable beauty in the olive which, with its "noble groves, covered wit.h foliage the whole year round, spreading like a silver sea along tLo base of the hills, and climbing their ascending terraces, speaks loudly of peace and plenty, food and gladness" (see Ruskin, 'Stones of Venice,' vol. iii. pp. 175-177). And without doubt it was beautiful in the eyes of those to whom the prophet wrote. But there is a moral beauty as well as that which is material, and of which the material is a fit symbol. And, compared with the dia- order, the violence, the foulness, the wickedness of all kinds, in which the rest of the world was sunk, Israel was as a garden of the Lord-a green olive tree, "fair" and comely to look upon. In them that which was lovely and of good report, that which had virtue and praise, were found as nowhere else. Love to God and love to man, justice, truth, and piety were held in esteem amongst them as amongst none others. 3. In usefulness. 'l'he olive tree was not merely fair, but "of goodly fruit.'' From that fruit came one of the commonest and most essential articles of the Eastern's food. Its oil was employed in connection with almost everything that they ate. Its berries gave flavour to the peasant's bread. The evening lamp was kindled with the oil pressed from it. And that same oil was used to anoint their priests and kings, for the lamp in the holy place, and to mingle with many of their sacrifices. To "anoint the bead with oil" was deemed most delightful and refreshing (Ps. xxiii.). Wounds were dressed with it (Luke x. 34), and the sick were anointed with it (Mark vi. 13; Jas. v. 4). The wood of the tree was employed in the sacred furniture of the temple, and there seemed to be no part of the tree which did not: in some way render service to man. Now, such was the purpose of God in regard to his people, that in them "should all the nations of the earth be blest." They were to be the channel of blessing to all people. Through them God's" saving health" should be known "amongst all nations." 4. And in permanence. Their blessedness was to abide. The "greenness" of the tree spoken of here refers to its perpetuity and strength. 'fhc olive is known to live to a great age. It is not improbable (see Kitto) that some of the olive trees now on the ~fount of Olives are contemporaneous with our Lord. 'l'he tax po.id on the~ is tLat which was assigned to such trees when first the Turks became masters of Palcstme. All trees I>lanted since are taxed far more heavily. But of the great ngo to which the uu . .x.1, 1-23.] 'l'HE l3OOK OF 'L'lIE Pl1OPHET JEREMIAH. 30i