Section 764
II. In the following part of this text are some things asserted
Either by Christ concerning his church, or else by the church concerning Christ; "I raised thee up under the apple-tree," etc. These words may be considered as the words of Christ;[4275] showing by whom and by what means the church was raised out of her former mean condition, and was brought to that honor and dignity which she now enjoyed.
1st, Says he, I raised thee up under the apple-tree: which may either intend the work of faith and conversion, which is the quickening or raising up a soul that is dead in trespasses and sins unto a newness of life; or else, the awakening of a sleepy and drowsy saint. If we consider the words in the former sense, they will lead us to observe, 1. The state and condition that the church was in before conversion; which Christ, it may be, remarks unto her, to teach her humility, that she might not be puffed up with spiritual pride, and forget what she once was; she was dead in sin, and must have continued so, had not Christ raised her up; she was like the wretched infant, in Ezekiel 16:6, which was "cast out in the open field, to the lothing of us person in the day that it was born;" in which condition Christ found her, being like a new-born infant, thrown under an apple-tree, and there left naked and helpless; where he took compassion upon her, and said unto her, whilst in her blood, live: moreover, some regard may be had in this place unto the manner how she came to be in this condition; which was through Adam and Eve's eating the forbidden fruit, which some have thought to be the apple; whereby "sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned," (Romans 5:12). 2. That the work of faith and conversion is a resurrection from the dead; which for ever secures persons from being hurt by the second death (see John 5:25; 29:110. 3. That this work belongs to Christ, is performed by him, and the glory of it to be given to him; "I raised thee up, etc." this work cannot be effected by the free-will and power of man, but by the mighty and efficacious grace of Christ; hence he is said to be the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). No less a person than be, who said to Lazarus, come forth, can raise a dead sinner; and no less a power must be exerted in doing this work, than was in the resurrection of Christ's dead body (see Ephesians 1:19). 4. Christ's doing of this work upon the hearts of his people, is a very great indication of his love to them; he speaks of it here as a peculiar favor done to his church (see Ephesians 2:4; Jeremiah 31:3). But,
If we understand these words of the awakening of her when asleep, they may teach us the following things: 1. That she was fallen asleep; which is sometimes the case of God's own people, as in chapter 5:2. 2. That this befell her when she was under the ordinances, under the shadow of the apple-tree, chapter 2:3. 3. That Christ will not suffer his people to continue so; but will, by some means or other, awake them out of it.
2dly, He says, that there her mother brought her forth,[4276] etc. Here he expresses her conversion by a regeneration, as he had before by a resurrection; by both which names it is very well known in the New Testament; which work, though it is effected by the grace and Spirit of God, yet the ministry of the word and ordinances are the instrumental means thereof which Christ has placed, continues, and blesses in his church for that end.
But the words seem rather to be the words of the church,[4277] speaking these things concerning Christ; for though there is nothing in our version to determine the sense this way; yet the suffixes in the Hebrew text being of the masculine gender, manifestly show that they are spoken of a man, and not of a woman. And,
1st, The church says, that she raised Christ up under the apple-tree; that is, she sitting under the ordinances of the gospel, which are the shadow of the apple-tree, to which Christ is compared in chapter 2:3, and finding no communion with him, he being as it were asleep all the while, did, by earnest prayer and entreaty, at length raise him up; so that she enjoyed a large degree of nearness to him, and familiarity with him.
2dly, That there his mother, which is the church and every true believer; see chapter 3:11 (and Matthew 12:50), brought him forth: as did, 1. The Old Testament-church, who long waited for him, and was often in pain, as a woman with child, on that account, until this man-child was born; which was at length accomplished, to the joy of all those who waited for the consolation of Israel. 2. With much pain did the apostles bring Christ forth into the Gentile world, by professing, him, preaching his gospel, and suffering for his sake: thus did they travail in birth, until Christ was formed in the hearts of men. 3. It is with much pain, even like that of a woman in travail, that the new birth, or the work of regeneration on the heart, which is no other than Christ formed there, is wrought; all, more or less, who are called by grace, pass under a work of the law, which is a killing letter; which puts the soul to a great deal of pain; pricks it to the heart, and makes it cry out, What shall I do to be saved? 4. The New Testament church, which is also Christ's mother, in the exercise of faith and prayer, is waiting for his second coming; nay, is not only looking for it, but is hastening to it; is uneasy, and as it were like a woman in travail, until he makes his appearance; which he will shortly do, through the incessant and continued cries and entreaties of his people: and this may be the reason why the phrase is doubled; there thy mother brought thee forth; that is, the Old Testament church, who waited for his manifestation in the flesh; "there she brought thee forth that bare thee;" that is the New Testament church, which looks for his second appearance. K. Aben Ezra interprets these words of the raising, loosing, and bringing forth of the King Messiah, through the prayers and entreaties of the Jews; who fancy that he now lies bound and fast asleep, but will ere long be awaked and loosed through their prayers, and appear for their deliver, ance from present exile, and captivity; which is all vain and delusive.