Section 789
I. Christ asserts his claim, right and property in his vineyard, the church
"My vineyard, which is mine, is before me:" in which may be considered,
1st, The vineyard itself, which is the church of Christ, and is called so for several reasons, which have been shown on the preceding verse.
2dly, This is expressed in the singular number, a vineyard; for Christ's church is but one, as he asserts in chapter 6:9, though it is true, we read of vineyards, in the plural number, in chapter 7:12, because there are several separate, distinct and congregated churches; though these all make up but one catholic church, one "general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven."
3dly, Christ asserts his right and property in his vineyard, "My vineyard," says he; whereby he confirms what the church had said in the foregoing verse; where has been shown in what respect he is the owner of it, and what kind of right he has to it;
4thly, He doubles this claim of his unto it; he not only says, "My vineyard," but adds, "which is mine;" whereby, 1. He excludes all others from having any right unto it; the vineyard is his, and only his; he is the sole proprietor of it; none has any thing to do with it but himself. 2. By repeating his claim, he shows the certainty of it; that his title is unquestionable and indisputable: and indeed what can be more sure and evident, seeing his Father has given it to him, who had an undoubted right to dispose of it? nay, he has purchased it with his own blood, and has it now in possession; he is right heir to it, according to God's own appointment though he wicked Jews, the chief priest's and Scribes; who were the keepers of the vineyard, when our Lord was here on earth, when they saw him, "said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance; and they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him," (Matthew 21:38, 39). 3. He may use this additional phrase, "which is mine," to distinguish it from all other vineyards; as also to shew the excellency of it, it being preferable to all others; this world, when compared with Christ's church, is a mere desert and wilderness; all other vines are of "the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter," (Deuteronomy 32:32, 33). 4. He repeats it, to signify the great delight he took in his vineyard; as it is in itself preferable to all others, so it is exceeding valuable and delightful to Christ; he says of it, "the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea; i have a goodly heritages" (Psalm 16:8).
5thly, He says, that this vineyard was before him; which may denote, 1. The omniscience of Christ; which in general extends to all persons and things, that ever were, are, or shall be; "Lord, says Peter, thou knowest all things," (John 21:17), but in a more especial manner he is concerned about his own people, whom he knows by name, and is acquainted with all their wants and necessities; he knows his own flock, and the state of it, which the Father has committed to him; he knows every sheep and lamb therein, in what condition they are, and what is most suitable for them; he knows his vineyard, and the several vines which grow there; there is never a plant escapes his notice and watchful eye; he is acquainted with every one of them, and in what case they are. 2. The omnipresence of Christ; he is the Lord that "fills heaven and earth" with his presence; the whole World is before him, but more especially his church; where, in a peculiar manner, he grants his gracious presence, there he dwells, and will abide for ever; who holds the "seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks," (Revelation 2:1). 3. The delights and complacency, which Christ takes in his church; it is ever before him; his eye is continually upon it; he cannot bear it out of his sight, so dear and valuable is it to him: thus it was from everlasting and has continued ever since, and so it ever will; his delight from all eternity "were with the sons of men," the elect of God, "rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, where he knew," in time, he should have a vineyard planted. 4. The care of Christ over his people, "who are engraven upon the palms of his hands, and whose walls are continually before him;" though Christ does indeed let out his vineyard to keepers, yet he does not neglect it himself; he is present with them, and works by them; it is still in his own hands, and under his watchful eye; "I the Lord," says he (Isaiah 27:3), "do keep it; I wilt water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day." Thus these words may be expressive of Christ's claim unto, affection for, and care over his vineyard, the church. Though,
There are some Interpreters who take them to be the words of the church, speaking of her vineyard; by which may be meant, her own soul, and the particular concerns of it: thus every one has a vineyard to look after; and in what condition that of the slothful man's was, may be seen in Proverbs 24:30, 31, which was all grown over with the thorns, and nettles of sin and corruption; its stone wall or fence was broken down, so that he was exposed to every snare and temptation. Or else, by this vineyard may be meant, the church in general; for believers have a mutual interest in each others persons, gifts, graces, prayers, etc. and being all members of one and the same body, should, as the apostle says (1 Corinthians 12:26), "have the same care one for another." Though perhaps the several gifts and talents, whether of nature or grace, which God bestows upon his people, may be intended; which are all to be used for the glory of Christ, and the good of his church for as every one has a vineyard of his own, or a particular work assigned him in the vineyard, the church; so he has his particular gift, talent and capacity for that work, which ought to be used by him; for he must one day give an account thereof. Now the church here says, that her vineyard was before her, thereby signifying her care, watchfulness, and diligence in it, of which we have an instance, chap. 7:12, and shows that she was now in a different frame from that of which she complains, in chapter 1:6. Though I think that the former sense of the words is most agreeable. Yet,