“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
The teaching here is that the seed is completely fitted to produce fruit. The seed is placed in the ground by man, but he cannot make it grow, nor does he understand how it is that it does grow. He sleeps at night, and rises at day, and can see that the seed has taken root, and is springing up, but” he knoweth not how; for the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself.’’ Even in nature God has so ordered it that the seed should fructify:” first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Then the harvest, and the sickle gathers in the fruits of the earth.
So is the kingdom of God.” The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:88The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8).) Thus it begins — takes root; and God is the Husbandman. A Paul may plant, and an Apollos water, but God must give the increase. And thus, as all must be begun by God, all is increased by God, and all will surely be gathered into His garner by-and-by. On the other hand, our Lord said,” Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” (Matt. 15:1313But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matthew 15:13).) While, of the Christian, we read, “Ye are God’s husbandry” (“tillage” in the margin). He sows the good seed; He waters watches over, and tends the growing, that we may grow up into Him in all things. And a glorious harvest is approaching, when we shall be gathered into His heavenly garner. To Him be all the praise!