Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
Ver. 12. Then Isaac sowed in that land.] In ground hired for his use, and managed by himself: for it was anciently a great commendation, saith Cicero, to be a good husbandman. a M. Curius, after three triumphs, returned to the plough, and held it no disgrace; neither ever was there more plenty at Rome than then, saith Pliny; Quasi gauderet terra laureato vomere, et Aratore triumphali. This good husbandman in the text, sowing in that barren land, and in a time of famine too, hath a hundredfold increase; which is the utmost that our Saviour mentioneth in the parable of the sower; Mat 13:23 and in reference hereunto, he elsewhere assureth such as part with all for his sake and the gospel's, they "shall receive a hundredfold here, and eternal life hereafter". Mat 19:29 That which Herodotus and Pliny report of Babylon is beyond belief: that the land thereabouts returns two hundredfold increase. b But grant it were true, yet he that is a good husband for his soul, sows in a better ground, and shall have a better return: for, "he that soweth to the Spirit, shall, of the Spirit, reap life everlasting." Only it is required, that he "be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not". Gal 6:8-9 We must not look to sow and reap all in a day, as he c saith of the Hyperborean people far north; that they sow shortly after the sunrising, and reap before the sunset; because the whole half year is one continual day with them. We must "wait," with "the husbandman, for the precious fruit of the earth, and have long patience for it, until we receive the former and latter rain". Jam 5:7 And "be diligent" in the meanwhile, that when Christ comes, "we may be found of him in peace". 2Pe 3:14 Heaven will pay for all our pains and patience. "He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully," 2Co 9:6 even blessing upon blessing, as the word there (επ ευλογιαις) signifies: he "shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him". Psa 126:6
a Veteres siquem virum bonum colonum appellassent, amplissime laudasse exstimabant. - Cic.
b Dιηκοσια μεν το παραπαν αποδιδοι. - Her., lib. i. - Plin., lib. vi. cap. 26.
c Heresbach., De Re Rustica.