Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
If, as some have thought, the Gentile Church is here particularly referred to, who being converted from heathenism and idolatry, to the knowledge and enjoyment of the covenant God in Christ, may be said to have been gathered from a dark estate, there will be an uncommon degree of beauty in the expressions. Look not upon me with an eye of disdain by reason of my former situation, nor of envy, because Jesus hath regarded me in my low estate, for his mercy endureth forever. Reader! it is always precious to keep in view the rock whence we were hewn; and the hole of the pit from whence we were digged. Isaiah 51:1. But, indeed, in a more general point of view, the converted soul, conscious of its own worthlessness and unsuitableness to bear inspection, begs favour in the eyes of all lookers on, not to estimate the state in which the soul stands in Jesus's love, by what they recollect of her former condition by nature, or the many infirmities since grace hath been vouchsafed her. The ungodly, unawakened, and carnal world, delight in the frailties of God's children. Aha! is their language, if at any time they fall, so would we have it.
By the sun looking upon her, some have thought is meant the Son of righteousness. But this blessed aspect would not contribute to make black, but fair, for so is the promise. Malachi 4:2. I rather think that the expression is similar, in allusion to hot countries, to what our Lord saith in his gospel, concerning the scorching sun on the seed; inducing, heat like the fire of persecution. And then the sense will be, look not upon me with a jealous or suspicious eye; questioning the reality of the work of grace in my heart, because I have so much blackness of infirmities upon me; for I have been so scorched with the sun of persecution, that I am not in myself what I am in Christ Jesus.
My mother's children were angry with me. This phrase is very plain in its meaning, after what our Lord Jesus Christ hath taught us of the displeasure of carnal relations, as soon as ever a work of grace is wrought upon the heart. A man's foes are they of his own household. How strikingly is this manifested in every age of the Church. Reader! put it down as a maxim of everlasting truth and certainty. As in the case of Jacob and Esau; as he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:29
They made me the keeper of the vineyards. Keeper of the vineyards was the most servile office; and, from the extreme heat and sultry exposure out of doors in the execution of it, became an irksome employment. In a spiritual sense, perhaps, it means that the Church was long exposed to false teachers when in the unconverted state of heathenism. And in the Jewish Church our Lord told the scribes and Pharisees, that they had made the commandments of God of none effect by their traditions. Nothing can be more opposite to the true spirit of the gospel than forms of godliness without the power. In a figurative language this may be called the vine of Sodom, and the fields of Gomorrah; the grapes of which are grapes of gall, and their clusters are bitter. Deuteronomy 32:32
But mine own vineyard have I not kept. How beautiful is grace which thus induceth humility. We find a little further on in this Song the Lord Jesus calleth his spouse the fairest among women; yet in the view she had of herself, she sees nothing but blackness as the tents of Kedar; and the neglect of her own soul, while engaged in the service of others. Such, Reader, depend upon it, will ever be the teaching of the Holy Ghost. The soul who lives nearest to Jesus in sweet fellowship, and communion, will be led most to discover his own poverty and negligence. We see most dust in a room where the sun shines must clear; and the believer never lies lower before the Lord in humbleness of spirit, than when the Lord Jesus exalts that soul with brighter views of his glory.