Vers. 10--14.-77ie parable of the drstruction of the vine. The Jews have often been compared to a vine well cared for by God, and the same comparison, on our Lord's authority, may be applied to Christians. In the present case we have a description first of the prosperity of the vine, and then of the devastating ruin of it. I. 'l'HE PROSPERITY OF TIIE VINE. 1. It was planted by the waters. Thus it was well nourished and refreshed. God cares for his children, and supplies their wants. The river of the water of life is for their refreshment. They cannot charge their sin to any failing in God's grace. 2. lt was fruitful. The early history of Israel shows that the people of God could give some return in service and holy living. God's people have borne fruit in works of ze.al e.nd charity. '!'his fruitfulness is what is most looked for in the vine (John xv. 5). 3. It was well developed. "Full of branches." Israel grew in population. The Church bas grown in numbers. External prosperity has been seen in the visible enlargment of Christeudom. 4. It was influential. Its branches were so great that they became strong rods for sceptres. Israel exerted royal influence. The Church has been high in power. Weakness o.nd limitation of influence cannot be pleaded as excuses for the neglect of her mission. 5. It was honoured. "Her stature was exalted among the thick branches." The vine grew in height as well as in the breadth of her extending branches. Israel stood high. The Church has received her full mead of honour. III. THE RUIN OF THE VINE. All this former excellence did not prevent a furious vengeance from falling upon the vine. Israel's glorious history did not save her from the doom of her sins. '!'he past of the Church will be no shield from the judgment which must fall on her present or future faithlessness. The vine was grievously hurt. 1. It was pluclced up. Israel was driven into exile. The sinner will lose his old privi- leges. 2. It was cast to the ground. In place of the previous exaltation of its lordly branches, there is to be a shameful humiliation e.s they are torn down and strewn over the ground. 3. Its fruit was dried up. Old good deeds are forgotten in later sin. Wben the soul is down in shame and mire, there is no longer power or opportunity to perform the ol<l useful service. 4. Its sceptre-like rods were destroyed-broken, withered, and consumed by fire. Power departs with the loss of the old position and prosperity. The fallen Church loses influence. 5. It is planted in the wilderness. The poor plant is left there to lauguish for lack of water e.nd nourishing soil. The doom of sin is to shrivel up e.nd fade away in a spiritual wilderness. 6. The worst fate comes from the vine upon itself. The fire proceeds from a rod of her own branches. The royal family of Israel brought down destruction on the nation. The sins of the Church produce its desolation. The fire of judgment that consumes ea.eh sinner springs from his own evil heart.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. V c,rs. 1-9.-The downfall of the p1'inces. For the interpretation of this figurative and poetical portion of Ezekiel's prophecies, reference must be made to the close of the Second Books of Kings e.nd of Chronicles, where the obscure and humiliating history of the blst days of the monarchy of Judah is briefly recorded. Ezckiel's clire'.e concerns rartly what bad alrca,1y taken pince, 1111'1 pnrtly what was immediately about to happen. 'l'he le~cous to be lc1unt from the hi~tory auJ the lameutt\tion are of a geuernl 348 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [otr. x1x. 1-14.