The Problem

Linda Rock
9 hours ago
4 min read

Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.

We have discussed the privilege given to the fig tree in being planted in a vineyard. Also, carefully looked at, was the purpose of the owner of the vineyard for having it planted there. Remember, we are using the word vineyard, to mean a place of grape growing, nurturing, harvesting and whatever else takes place in such vineyards.

The problem – The owner has come to a barren tree, year after year for three years.

We approach the problem associated with this fig tree, in the owner’s purview, as we did with the purpose of the fig tree. We are stating obvious facts, yet they are necessary to bring things out in visible, audible form, as they help each one of us with thoughts about our lives and our Owner. Personally, listening to these, knocked out and crushed to minute pieces, all my erroneous thoughts and expressions, in relation to problems pertaining to me and my meagre fruit-bearing or lack thereof. My prayer and hope is that this alerts and quickens you also.

The problem was not infiltration – No one came into the owner’s vineyard while the keeper of the vineyard was away, or asleep, or otherwise. It is not a case of a thief, an enemy, entering and doing mischief by planting what was not wanted. It is not like the man, who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away. Matthew 13: 24b – 25. What am I saying? The problem is not that the fig tree, a different plant, was planted among grape trees by an enemy. That was the owner’s desire and not the mischief of an enemy.

You are where you are because of God’s Will, not any evil doing of Satan. You are not an infiltration in our Lord's vineyard!

The problem was not imitation – No one planted a fig tree in a vineyard, expecting it to bear grapes. No one is so stupid as to think a fig tree can be camouflaged to look like grape trees or vines. Even if some may be deceived, due to shrewd and clever cover ups, the fruit bearing or lack thereof, will blow it all to bits and pieces. It is like what Jesus spoke clearly about camouflage, when He spoke of wolves imitating sheep. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits, Matthew 7: 15 – 16a. What am I saying? The problem is not that the fig tree was planted among grapes for imitation purposes. The owner is no deceiver, neither does he embrace deceit.

You are planted as God’s tree, where you are in His vineyard, not for imitation or pretense. You are where you are because of God’s Will, not any evil doing of Satan. You are not an imitation in our Lord's vineyard!

If all is well – good, right and true with you genuinely and legitimately being where you are – then you know that God has placed you where you are and no one else. Nevertheless, there is a grave problem with you. The text lays it out clearly, with force, gravity and emphasis. This truly made me leave all complacency of mind and heart, as it electrified me into good sense. It jolted me right back into truths which had become, by quite some ways, removed from my mind. Will you receive also?

The problem the owner had with the fig tree was not really in it not bearing figs, but in its stubborn, persistent unrepentance. Let’s reason this together. The fig tree has been planted in the vineyard to bear figs. We all agree to this. Now look at it sensibly.

In the first year, when the fig tree should be bearing figs, the owner has come, seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. What does he do? He leaves the fig tree there in its vineyard place. There’s no quarrelling with it, no scolding it and no warning it, as visibly presented in this text. However, I dare to say that his countenance was certainly not one of rejoicing and approval. He leaves his vineyard with no figs. He leaves the vineyard, giving the fig tree a first chance, to produce fruit.

In the second year, when the fig tree has been given an opportunity to be different in its fruit bearing, the owner has come, seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. What does he do? He leaves the fig tree there in its vineyard place. There’s no aggression, condemnation and disciplinary moves meted to the barren fig tree, as visibly documented in this text. However, I dare to say that his manner was certainly not one of happiness and compliment. He leaves his vineyard with no figs. He leaves the vineyard, giving the fig tree a second chance, to produce fruit.

In the third year, when the fig tree has been given two consecutive opportunities to be different in its fruit bearing, the owner has come, seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. What does he do? He is ready to take action.

Carefully note the problem. It is that after giving chances, opportunities to change, there is still no change, not even the show of a blossom, far more a fruit.

Is this not the case with you and me, children of God? We disobey our Lord in big and small things, and in His grace and mercy, He gives us chances and opportunities to change. Do we listen, take these repentance opportunities seriously, and change, or are we like the prophetess Jezebel? Listen to what God’s angel says. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality and she did not repent. Revelation 2: 21. The problem is not our sins, regardless of what they are. The problem is that we forfeit these opportunities to change and remain in our dead, barren, useless states.