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I. GIVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE REMNANT spoken of in the text.

1. A remnant is a small piece taken from a greater. The Church of Christ is a remnant separated from the rest of mankind.

2. This remnant is different from the rest of mankind in their character.

3. They are also under a different government.

4. They also stand on a different foundation.

5. They are under the influence of another spirit.

6. They are travelling quite a different road.

7. They come to a different end.

II. SHOW WHY THEY ARE CALLED A SEED. Because —

1. They owe their spiritual origin to God.

2. They bear His likeness. As every tree bringeth forth its natural fruit, he that is born of God will be like God.

3. They are in respect to their dependence on God. God grafts us into Jesus Christ, and we are therefore dependent upon Him for nourishment and strength, as the branch depends on the stock of the tree for support and sap to grow thereby.

4. Because they are of the family of God.

5. Because they are heirs of His estate.

III. SHOW WHY THEY ARE CALLED A "HOLY" SEED.

1. They are holy by sanctification. They are set apart.

2. Because of their purification.

3. Because the Spirit of God dwells in them.

IV. WHAT IS MEANT BY THIS SEED BEING DENOMINATED THE "SUBSTANCE" OF A LAND OR CHURCH?

1. By the word "substance" I think the prophet means treasure, or the chief part, or that which constitutes the welfare of a land — that in which the chief excellency or support or wealth of a nation consists. This is true of the people of God.

2. Further, it implies that they are God's only inheritance in the world.

3. This seed is called a substance because it is the support and stay of a land or a church.

V. SHOW IN WHAT RESPECT THIS SEED MAY BE SAID TO BE THE STAY AND SUPPORT OF A LAND OR OF A CHURCH. For their sakes ruining calamities are withheld from those nations which deserve to be visited with the judgments of God (Genesis 19:22; 2 Samuel 5:12; Genesis 30:27; Genesis 39:3; Malachi 3:11). This remnant shall be the strength of the land by their prayers (Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Samuel 7:9).

(T. Bagnall-Baker, M. A.)

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KJV: But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

WEB: If there is a tenth left in it, that also will in turn be consumed: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remains when they are felled; so the holy seed is its stock."