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This chapter, it has been said, divides itself into three sections.

1. The threat of judgment (vers. 1-3).

2. The description of the Good Shepherd (ver . 4-14).

3. The sketch of the foolish shepherd (vers. 15-17).Lebanon, here, may be regarded as a symbol of the kingdom of Judah, its cedars as denoting the chief men of the kingdom.

I. A VARIETY OF DISTINCTION. The "cedar" here, the "fir tree," or cypress, and the "oaks," are employed to set forth some of the distinctions that prevailed amongst the Hebrew people. Now, whilst all men have a common origin, a common nature, and common moral obligations and responsibilities, yet in every generation there prevails a large variety of striking distinctions. There are not only the cedars and fir trees, but even briars and thistles. There is almost as great a distinction between the highest type of man and the lowest, as there is between the lowest and the highest type of brute. There are intellectual giants and intellectual dwarfs, moral monarchs and spiritual serfs. This variety of distinction in the human family serves at least two important purposes.

1. To check pride in the highest and despondency in the lowest. The cedar has no cause for boasting over the fir tree, or over the humblest plant it owes its existence to the same God, and is sustained by the same common elements. And what have the greatest men — the Shakespeares, the Schillers, the Miltons, the Goethes — to be proud of? What have they that they have not received? And why should the weakest man despond? He is what God made him, and his responsibilities are limited by his capacities. This variety serves —

2. To strengthen the ties of human brotherhood. Were all men of equal capacity, it is manifest that there would be no scope for that mutual ministry of interdependence which tends to unite society together. The strong rejoices in bearing the infirmities of the weak, and the weak rejoices in gratitude and hope on account of the succour received.

II. A COMMON CALAMITY. "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen." An expression which implies that the same fate awaits the fir tree. There is one event that awaits men of every type and class and grade, the tallest cedar and the most stunted shrub, that is death.

1. This common calamity levels all distinctions. "Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds, yet he shall perish forever."

2. This common calamity should dematerialise all souls. Since we are only here on this earth for a few short years at most, why should we live to the flesh, and thus materialise our souls?

III. A NATURAL ALARM. "Howl, fir tree." The howl, not of rage, not of sympathy, but of alarm. When the higher falls, the lower may well take the alarm. If the cedar gives way, let the cypress look out. This principle may apply to —

1. Communities. Amongst the kingdoms of the earth there are the "cedar" and the "fir tree." The same may be said of markets. There are the cedars of the commercial world; great houses regulating almost the merchandise of the world.

2. Individuals. When men who are physically strong fall, let weaker men beware. When men who are moral cedars — majestic in character, and mighty in beneficent influences — fall, let the less useful take the alarm, and still more the useless.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

WEB: Open your doors, Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars.