GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue 44
Published occasionally for Zion's mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

PRECIOUS SEED

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:6

One of the keys to understanding the Psalms is to be given the knowledge that they are primarily the prayers, exultations, and descriptions of that perfect MAN, JESUS the CHRIST. HE is that ONE who has clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up HIS soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. HE is that ONE who alone has ascended into the hill of the LORD and does stand in HIS holy place. HE has received the blessing of the LORD and does manifest RIGHTEOUSNESS from the GOD of HIS salvation. (see Ps.24:3-5) HE is that MAN whose delight is in the law of the LORD and has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly nor sat in the seat of the scornful. HE is like a TREE planted by the rivers of waters and HIS leaf does not wither and whatsoever HE does shall prosper. HE brings forth HIS fruit in HIS season. (see Ps.1:1-6) HE is the KING seated upon the Holy Hill of Zion, who has asked and received the heathen for HIS inheritance. (see Ps.2:6,8) HE is that ONE who has cried with HIS voice and was heard by HIM who is HIS SUSTAINER and the LIFTER of HIS head being glorified thereby. (see Ps.3:1-8) “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb 5:7-8)

HE has wept in the night and has been consumed with grief, and thereby triumphed over HIS enemies. (see Ps.6:6-10) “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” (Psa 9:8) HE has manifested the marvelous works of the LORD and does sing praise to the NAME of the MOST HIGH. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38) HE is that ONE who is upright; (“For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” (Psa 11:7)); and whom the LORD looks favorably upon. HE has walked uprightly, worked righteousness and speaketh the TRUTH in HIS heart; therefore, HE cannot be moved. (see Ps.15)

HE has set the LORD before HIM, and doth rest in HOPE for HE is now seated at the RIGHT HAND of the LORD, having seen no corruption. (see Ps.16:8-11) HE is the APPLE of HIS FATHER’s eye and has awakened from the slumber of death to behold the face of HIM in HIS likeness. “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:8-9)

HE has been rewarded according to HIS righteousness; and the cleanness of HIS hands HE has kept the ways of the LORD, and has not wickedly departed from GOD. (see Ps.18:20-25) GOD has girded HIM with strength and taught HIS hands to war, and given HIM the necks of HIS enemies. (see Ps.18:34-40) “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15) Here, HE has manifested HIS greatest triumph as HE has trod the winepress of GOD’s wrath alone, nailing our sins to HIS cross, where HE blotted out the handwriting of ordinances which was against those whom HE loved with an everlasting love, taking away their sin and destroying HIS and their enemies completely.

Thus, we see CHRIST in every Psalm and in every other book of the Bible which has been written as holy men of GOD were moved by HIS SPIRIT. This Bible has but one SUBJECT to which the attention of men is called (“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)) and one OBJECT of FAITH (“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)) upon which the saints of GOD, in all ages have rested.

One of the most iconic parables which the LORD JESUS taught, was the Parable of the Sower. We see in our mind’s eye, this farmer taking up a bag of seed and broadcasting it as he went. In this parable, the LORD was teaching about the unsuitableness of the ground (i.e., the world) in general to receive the “seed” which is representative of the preached word. Only a portion of the seed fell upon the “good ground” (i.e.; that which HE prepared) where it ultimately sprang up and grew to maturity and fruit bearing. The other “grounds” did not and could not bring forth this fruit, though some held out some promise, temporarily springing up, but in the end were barren.

As we read Psalm 126:6 we understand this ONE who is “bearing precious seed” to be CHRIST. HE “bears” (or carries) this seed, not leaving it in the hands of another, nor does HE only take a portion of it, but rather the notion here expressed is that it is all the seed that HE has, and HE carries it, sowing it carefully, and not haphazardly, for HE has a bond with this seed.

We understand this “seed” to be HIS elect. That people which were chosen “in” HIM from before the foundation of the world. They were HIS when HE created the world and due to their preciousness to HIM, HE will lose none, even though it pleased HIM to scatter them to the four corners of the Earth. “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly (i.e.; not of its own accord or design”), but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope (i.e.; as it hath pleased HIM according to HIS purpose of redemption), Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom 8:20-21) Redemption unto liberty for the sons of GOD is the LORD’s purpose and not some remedy which HE has set forth in hopes that some might be benefitted thereby.

Thus, in contrast to the “seed” in the Parable of the Sower, which is representative of the preached word, this “precious seed” is that possession which belongs to the SOWER and for which HE ever lives to make intercession. HE came into the world “bearing” this precious seed, having their names written upon HIS breastplate as HE entered into the holy place for them. HE came “weeping”, as a Man of sorrows. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isa 53:3-5)

Yet HE does not perpetually suffer for them, for, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psa 30:5) HE came to secure victory for HIS “precious seed” and is the REAPER of such blessing as well as the PLANTER. “HE that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Gal 6:8) It was for the “joy that was set before HIM” that HE endured the pain necessary to redeem that which is HIS. “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isa 40:10-11) “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:10-11) HE bears their iniquities because HE has borne them as that “precious seed” in HIS bosom.

Just as HE came, two thousand years ago, “bearing precious seed”, so shall HE come in like manner bringing HIS “sheaves” with HIM as HE returns to gather that which HE has sown. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1Thess 4:13-14)
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