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There are two preliminary lessons we may gather from these verses before we pluck the principal one.

I. THAT IN THE ACTS AND INDUSTRIES OF MAN WE MAY FIND APT ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WISDOM OF GOD. "Give ear and hear" (ver. 23). There is something well worth observing in human husbandry; it will teach the student a useful lesson respecting the ways of God. Not only from the lilies of the field and from the birds of the air, but also from the arts and industries of man, come suggestions which will explain Divine providence and give rest to the troubled mind.

II. THAT AGRICULTURE AFFORDS ONE PROOF OF THE PRESENCE AND POWER OF A DIVINE INTELLIGENCE. How is it that, while the birds and the beasts continue through all succeeding ages to supply their wants by the same unchanging processes, man is ever moving forward? From hunting to grazing, from grazing to agriculture, he ascends; and in agriculture he shows a discretion and a versatility which are striking to all who have eyes to see and souls to learn. The fact is that man is taught of God. "His God doth instruct him," etc. (ver. 26); it comes from him who is "wonderful in counsel" (ver. 29). The intelligence, the shrewdness, the inventiveness, the patience, the foresight, which are manifested in husbandry, go far to assure us that God is near us, laying his hand upon us, touching the springs of our mind, calling forth from us intellectual and moral faculties which, though immeasurably inferior, are yet akin to his own.

III. THAT GOD IS SHOWING A CAREFUL DISCRIMINATION IN THE TREATMENT OF HIS ERRING CHILDREN. This is the lessen of the prophet's illustration: the husbandman only ploughs till he is ready to sow; he always threshes with the instrument which is suitable, adjusting his means to the character of the corn; he orders everything with careful, discriminating consideration of what is best at the particular time with the particular object. So carefully, so wisely, so tenderly, does God deal with us.

1. He mingles mercies with judgments, light with shade, hope with fear: "He does not always chide." He sows as well as ploughs.

2. He places us in spheres that suit us; some in the more prominent, others in the more humble, parts of the field (ver. 25).

3. He applies his chastisement according to our nature and our character (vers. 27, 28): to some - to the more hardened and abandoned - he administers his severer blows; to others - to his people who, though his people, have much yet to learn - he sends the milder and gentler measures of rebuke; on them he lays his hand more tenderly. Learn:

1. That God, in chastisement, is seeking fruit - the harvest of love, of trust, of obedience, of service.

2. That if he deals severely with us, it is because severity is needed for the high purpose he has before him.

3. That he will never deal too rigorously with any one of his children. - C.

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KJV: Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

WEB: Give ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!