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. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
They who read this parable of the Lord Jesus, through the medium of the free-will mind, (which every man by nature is strongly tinctured with), will consider that this representation of the barren fig-tree, is intended to set forth the free will and ability of the human heart to accomplish his own salvation; while they who going upon the scriptural bottom of free grace, admit not for a moment the possibility of God's grace depending upon man's will, and therefore refer the whole into the sovereignty of God.
In the view of opinions so diametrically opposite, in order for the discovery with whom the truth is, (for both cannot be right), and for the better apprehension of our Lord's design, it may be proper to consider upon what occasion Jesus spake this parable, and to whom it was addressed.
Now we find, that the Lord had been discoursing on the general apostacy of human nature, and had declared, that all men, without a saving change by grace wrought upon their hearts, would perish. And, in the further illustration of this doctrine, Jesus added this parable, a barren fig-tree is represented as in the vineyard, that is, the Church of God, (See Isaiah 5:1-7) which under the highest cultivation, even of our Lord's own personal ministry, for three years, (the time which at the delivery of this parable, Jesus had labored in his word and doctrine), had produced nothing. The sentence by the owner of the vineyard is then given; Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground. The dresser of the vineyard is represented as interceding for another year; and then consenting to the destruction of it, if still remaining fruitless.
If the Jewish nation be considered as this barren fig-tree, everything in the parable bears a just resemblance to the several features of it. The children of Israel as a nation and people, had all along Church privileges. To them, (saith Paul), according to the flesh, pertained the covenant, and the giving of the law, etc. But they, (saith he), are not all Israel, which are of Israel. Romans 9:3-6. Outward privileges are perfectly distinct things from inward grace. Capernaum was exalted to heaven in advantages of this kind; but her end the Lord said, should be to be brought down to hell. Matthew 11:20-24
In like manner this barren fig-tree was doomed for destruction; and as Christ predicted, the event actually took place, when the Jewish nation, as a nation, was soon after overthrown by the Roman army, Luke 13:35. And to this agrees the whole purport of the Bible. When God created our nature, it was, as the Lord himself saith, a noble vine, and wholly a right seed. But, when in the Adam-nature of the fall, it was turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine, of consequence nothing but blossoms as the dust, and grapes of gall, could it bring forth. See Jeremiah 2:21; Isaiah 5:24; Deuteronomy 32:32. Intercessions for the sparing such corrupt stock, form no part in the covenant of grace. Jesus himself saith, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Matthew 15:13
But, who then is this dresser of the vineyard? Not the Lord Jesus Christ, I venture to believe. For we do not find among all the offices of the Lord Jesus, enumerated in scripture, such an one as a vine-dresser mentioned. But we read indeed, in allusion to Gospel days, that the Lord would appoint the sons of the alien to be the Church's plowmen and vine-dressers, as so many degrading employments, whilst all the Lord's people should be named the priests of the Lord, and men should call them the ministers of our God. Isaiah 61:5-6; Revelation 1:6. But, not to dwell upon these things, it cannot for a moment be supposed, that, on the presumption this barren fig-tree represented the Jewish nation, Christ is here set forth by himself as the dresser. For in that case, his all-prevailing office of Intercessor must have failed; the nation soon after (and as he himself predicted), being cut down. A doctrine which the most violent free-will men will hardly venture to think possible.
The question again recurs, if the Lord Jesus himself be not meant by him, in the character of this dresser, whom doth the Lord mean? I venture to say in answer, though not to decide, may it not be all such as in the warmth of their natural feelings, overstep the modesty of grace, and intercede, without being taught so to do by the Lord. Such was Abraham, when he interceded for Sodom; and led away by nature he asked for Ishmael before he knew Isaac. Genesis 18:23; Genesis 18:23, etc. Such was Moses, in the case of Israel. Exodus 32:31-32. And Paul felt somewhat of the same nature. Romans 9:3. All this is nature, not grace. And in the highest characters such remains of nature are found. But none of those things belong to Him, or are found in his offices, whose decision is, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37. The glorious advocacy of Jesus, is in exact conformity to covenant settlements. It is liable to no peradventures, no questions, no doubts. And how solemn soever the doctrine of this parable is, yet far better is it that God's sovereignty should be seen in it, than that man's pride should be gratified, in rendering that questionable which Jehovah's word and oath hath made certain; and leaving the intercession of the Lord Jesus at an hazard, whether God's free grace, or man's free will, shall finally triumph!