All things are evidently tending to decay and dissolution. As there was an hour fixed from all eternity for the creation of the world, so there is an hour fixed for its dissolution. Many scriptural figures represent the brevity of human life, the frailty of man’s existence. The text contains a prophetic description of the destruction of all God’s enemies, who are represented as a field of corn.
I. The ripeness for the great harvest. There is a ripeness to which every one must attain. Even the wicked fill up the measure of their sin. The righteous are acquiring ripeness; and for this due preparation and daily cultivation are needed. True., thorns and briars spring up among the flowers; but they are only allowed to grow together for good and useful purposes.
II. The holy scriptures alone can furnish the true test of the ripeness referred to in the text. Compare the condition of a sinner meet for destruction with the happy state of a soul ripe for the blessedness of eternal glory. Such a review must induce every one to pray that the life he lives in the flesh may be a life of faith on the Son of God; of conformity to the will of God; and of preparation for the judgment of God.
III. When the corn is fully ripe, the sickle is to be put in. When our measure of sin and holiness is complete, we shall be reaped down: the saints will depart and be immediately with God. Address the undecided. (Nat. Meeres, B. D.)
Harvest
This emblem of the harvest is used elsewhere in the Bible. The text probably refers to the harvest of the wicked. Two things for consideration.
I. The process of ripening. In the natural world we think of the later period of growth, after the ear is formed, as the ripening time. Consider the process of ripening as regards the wicked.. (Gen_15:16.) “The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” It was ripening, but not ripe. Sin has dominion over a man. Sin is the spring and root of eternal ruin. The signs that sin is ripening are two.
1. The habit of sinning wilfully, and living wilfully under the dominion of known sin.
2. Growing insensibility to the truths which have a tendency to awaken the mind. The ripening process as regards the righteous is the converse of that which takes place with the wicked. There is a ripening process going on in every child of God. That which is the cause of this ripening in the Christian is holiness. Increasing holiness alienates him more and more from sin, and from the follies and vanities of the world. Signs of the ripening process are--
1. A deepening sense of our own personal unworthiness, and helplessness, and guiltiness in the sight of God.
2. Growing simplicity of trust in the person and work of Christ. It is the work of the Spirit to reveal Christ to the soul.
II. The harvest itself. For the individual the time of death. For the world the judgment day. The children of God are ripening for a blessed harvest. The wicked are ripening for a harvest of wrath, of fiery indignation. (Emilius Bayley, M. A.)
Character
These words suggest three remarks concerning man’s moral character.
I. It is a growth. The harvest begins with the germinating seed. Moral character, both good and bad, is a growing thing; thoughts grow, affections grow, principles grow, habits grow. Character is not like a rock, which remains the same from year to year; but rather like the tree, ever growing. Men get worse or better every day.
II. It has a maturity. Every character ripens, reaches its harvest. Hemlock as well as wheat ripens; character, both evil and good, comes to maturation.
III. It has retribution. “Put ye in the sickle.” ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, he that soweth to the spirit shall reap everlasting life.” The time for the sickle hastens to all. (Homilist.)
