v. 1-7. _Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song, &c._
The points of moral instruction made prominent in this parable
are--I. That God's gifts of truth, light as to duty, moral culture,
and opportunities for doing good, create peculiar obligations to be
morally fruitful, to do justice, and love mercy. II. That men so
blessed with privileges will be held to a stern accountability.
III. That failing to meet this, they must expect that God will take
away their privileges and give them to others who will render the
fruits in their season (Matt. xxi. 43). IV. That there is a line
beyond which God does not deem it wise to waste His moral efforts
upon self-hardened sinners. V. That in His view the exigencies of His
moral kingdom demand of Him rather that He made sinners, beyond that
line, an example of His righteous displeasure against their awful
wickedness, and a warning to other sinners lest they venture too far
in abusing His compassionate and long-suffering efforts to reclaim
and save them. It is a terrible thing to withstand God in His labours
to save the soul.--_Henry Cowles, D.D., Commentary on Isaiah,_ p. 30.