Luke 13:6-9 He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.… God's patience hath a period; it hath its bounds and limits beyond which it will not pass. For proof, read Amos 8:2 — "The end is come, I will not pass by them any more"; that is, I will have no more patience towards them. So Jeremiah 1:11, 12 — "I will hasten My word to perform it"; that is, to make good the judgments that I have denounced. And that text should still be sounding in our ears — "An end is come, an end is come; behold it watcheth for thee, behold, it is come it is come" (Ezekiel 7:5-16) Should God always bear with sinners, He should suffer in all His attributes; His justice would be wronged and blemished, which by no means will endure that the wicked should be held as innocent (Exodus 34:7; Jeremiah 44:2). "He is a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:26). Now, should God perpetually bear with sinners, it would be a disgrace unto Him. His jealousy will not endure that sin should ever go unpunished (Psalm 50:21; Malachi 3:15). He is a most wise God, "God only wise" (1 Timothy 1:17). Albeit, He bears and spares and shows mercy to sinners, it is ever moderated with wisdom. He forbears as long as there is hope (Jeremiah 51:9). But when men become incurable, His wisdom will not suffer Him to bear any longer (Isaiah 1:5). He is a good God; and being good, He must needs love goodness and hate iniquity (Psalm 45:7). Now, God should not be good, if He should be ever good to those that will never be good; His goodness will not suffer Him ever to spare those that hate and despise goodness. So we might show of His other attributes. (N. Rogers.) Parallel Verses KJV: He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. |
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