John 2:10 And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse… Notice — I. THAT GOD MOVES BY A HIGHER LAW THAN MAN UNDERSTANDS (Isaiah 55:8, 9). 1. Men give their best first, but God adopts the principle of gradual development. 2. Men give sparingly, God gives abundantly. II. THAT MAN IS SOMETIMES PRAISED FOR BLESSINGS THAT COME DIRECTLY FROM THE DIVINE HAND. 1. In legislation the politician is praised, and few ascribe the blessing to the Great Fountain of government. 2. In social life men have praised parental discipline, or scholastic education for a high tone of morality, whereas few acknowledge the Source of Purity. (1) It is here that infidelity has erred; it has stopped at second causes and paused at the bridegroom, instead of inquiring for Christ. (2) So with science; but science is only an agent. It may be a botanist, but who started the vital fluid? A geologist, but who wrote the rocky page? An astronomer, but who built the world? (3) So with professing Christians. III. THAT GOD SOMETIMES PRESENTS THE RESULT WITHOUT REVEALING THE PROCESS, In some departments of the moral universe processes belong exclusively to God, and results to man. In the discipline of our nature God conducts the mysterious process; whereas in the dissemination of the gospel man is required to undertake the agency. These three great principles may teach us — 1. To recognize the Divine hand in every advancement. What have we that we did not receive. We should be humble, therefore. 2. Never to distrust the resources of God. You have never drunk the best wine which God can provide. He has unsearchable riches. 3. To repress inquisitiveness, and cultivate gratitude. Take thankfully what God provides. (Joseph Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. |
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