I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, [and] to see whether the vine flourished, [and] the pomegranates budded.
Ver. 11. I went down into the garden of nuts.] Or, Nutmegs. Tremellius and those that follow him render it the well dressed, or pruned gardens. These are the particular churches and various saints, Christ's mystical and spiritual garden, that need much pruning and trimming. Of all possessions, Nulla maiorem operam requirit, saith Cato, none requireth so much pains to be taken with it as a garden or orchard. Grain comes up and grows alone, ripeneth and cometh to perfection, the husbandmen sleeping and waking, "he knows not how." Mar 4:27 But gardens must be dressed, trimmed, pruned, pared almost every day, or else all will be out of order. Christ, therefore, as a careful gardener, αιρει, καθαιρει, Putat, purgat, amputat, weeds, lops, prunes his garden. Joh 15:2 Be careful, therefore, saith a worthy divine: Christ walks in his garden, spies how many raw, unripe, undigested prayers, &c., hang on such a branch; what gum of pride, what leaves or luxuriant sprigs and rotten boughs there are, and with his pruning knife cuts and slashes where he sees things amiss, &c. Thus he. Neither may we think that Christ doth this or any of this in ill-will, but out of singular love and faithfulness to our souls, which else would soon be woefully overgrown with the weeds of wickedness, as a neglected garden. The wicked God never meddleth with, as I may so say, till he come with his axe to hew them down to the fire; because he finds them incorrigible. "Let him alone," Hos 4:17 saith God concerning Ephraim; and "why should ye be smitten any more, since ye revolt more and more?" Isa 1:5 They have a great deal of freedom for present, but the end is utter extirpation. Non surget hic afflictio Neh 1:9 they shall totally and finally be consumed at once.
To see the fruits of the valley.] Green valley plants - that is, the humble spirits which "tremble at God's word," and present him with the "first ripe fruits, which his soul desireth." Mic 7:1
And to see whether the vine flourished.] These vines and pomegranates are the faithful, who are compared to these trees, for the plenty and sweetness of their fruits. Christ came to see whether the former were flowering, and the latter budding; to see if there were any hopes of ripe fruit in due time; for he liketh not those outlandish plants, that every year bud and blossom, but never bring any fruit to its perfection. No. When he hath done all that can be done for his vineyard, he looks for fruit. Isa 5:2 Mat 21:34 "For who," saith he, "planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?" 1Co 9:7 Danda igitur est opera ut huius agricolae votis respondeamus. Answer Christ's expectation, or else he will lay down his basket, and take up his axe. Luk 13:7