God’s Goodness to the Church.
xxvii. 2, 3. In that day sing ye unto her, &c.[1]
The Church a vineyard: a spot set apart: weeds taken out; choice trees planted; supplied with means; fruitful of “red wine,” the best (Prov. xxiii. 31).
I. God’s care of His Church. 1. It is constant, “night and day.” 2. It is all-sufficient. “I, the Lord, do keep it”—what Omniscience and Omnipotence guards, none can hurt.
II. God’s ministry to the Church. Not only does He guard it from external assault, He ministers to its internal necessities. “I will water it.” God’s influence upon His Church is—1. Adapted to its wants. The vine needs moisture. 2. It is a continued blessing. “Every moment.” 3. It is followed by blessed results: Growth, fragrance, beauty, fruitfulness.
Application.—1. How secure is the true Church of God (H. E. I., 1246–1251; 2449). 2. How important to belong to it. 3. How great are its obligations to God. 4. How zealous we ought to be for its extension.—British and Foreign Pulpit, i. 74, 75.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Cowles only follows Alexander in the rendering of these verses. Birks translates: “In that day sing ye unto her. A vineyard of choice wine!” &c. Cheyne: “In that day—a pleasant vineyard—sing ye of it. I, Jehovah, its keeper—moment by moment I water it; lest any should invade it, by night and by day I keep it.” Kay: “Sing ye unto her.”