Homilist Isaiah 61:3 To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning… Notice some points of comparison which this figure suggests when used to represent the redeemed. I. THEY ARE TREES. This indicates — 1. That they have life. They are not inanimate objects. 2. That they have dependent life. They are planted in the ground.- Their fertility depends on the soil. Those planted in Christ shall be fruitful. 3. That they have a life of growth. Spiritual life is a development. II. THEY ARE GOODLY TREES. "Trees of righteousness." Not poisonous or useless objects. The object of trees is — 1. To afford shelter. They shade from the heat and the storm. 2. To adorn the world. They are the beauty of earth, its crown and delight. 3. To give fruit. They are the profit and sustenance of the sower. Trees of righteousness are all this in the spiritual world. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. |
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