Saints Compared to Willow Trees

    SAINTS COMPARED TO WILLOW TREES

    "And they shall spring up as among the grass, as Willows by the water-courses," Isa 44:4.

    "THEY shall spring up," &c., that is, the offspring of Jacob, the true seed or covenant people of God, "as among the grass, as Willows by the watercourses:" as Willows grow and spring up by the water-courses, so the Saints of God are said to flourish or spring up.

    SIMILE

    I. WILLOWS are so called, because they mostly grow near to brooks, and always prosper best near rivers and watercourses, contrary to some other trees, as the cypress and chesnut trees, which love not watery places.

    PARALLEL

    I. THE trees of righteousness, viz., the Saints, grow best near the river of God, i.e. where the springs of living water flow forth. It is the influence of the Holy Spirit, which is compared to a river, that causes believers to spring up and grow so sweetly, Joh 7:37-38.

    SIMILE

    II. Remove a Willow that grows by the waterside, and plant it upon a heath, and you will soon see it decay and wither.

    PARALLEL

    II. So if a Christian be removed from Christ, or hindered of the sweet influences of the Spirit, and divine ordinances of the Gospel, which the faithful enjoy in God's Church, he will soon decay and wither in grace and holiness, like a Willow upon a dry heath, Jer 17:6.

    SIMILE

    III. The Willow by the watercourses is green, and flourishes in a time of drought, when many other trees and plants fade and wither away.

    PARALLEL

    III. So the Saints and people of God are in this respect like willows or trees planted by the water-side: for so the prophet plainly affirms: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, whose hope the Lord is: for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth forth her roots by the river, and shall not see when drought cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither cease from yielding fruit," Jer 17:7-8, compared with Ps 1:3.

    INFERENCES.

    I. Hence we may learn, that the Holy Spirit in his blessed springs of graces, promises, and ordinances, is every way as needful to the growth of God's people, as springs of water are to the willow-tree.

    II. Let us bless the Almighty, who hath planted us by the side of the river of God, and let us pray, that he would never transplant us, nor remove us into a barren and heathy wilderness.