What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?
Isaiah 5:4 NIV
Today, we read of a challenged vineyard owner who, as a result of being rewarded by only bad grapes from his vineyard; removes the hedge, breaks walls, commands rain not to fall on it and destruction of the vineyard is predicted.
In Isaiah 5:7, we read that the vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. In addition, The Lord saw not justice and righteousness, but rather bloodshed and cries of distress.
As a Christian, we can consider Romans 11 and realize that we are grafted into Israel and we need to ponder the grapes we yield for the Lord, the Incomparable Creator, Giver and Sustainer.
Because all have sinned and fall short; we on our own, will not yield good grapes. It is only because Christ died and was raised to life to overcome sin that our sin has died and been washed away by the perfect, cleansing, atoning blood of Jesus and by the gift of the Spirit, we, by following the Spirit can have a part in yielding good grapes.
Israel is also warned of six woes that show their falling short of God's righteousness:
Overconsumption- 5:8
Overindulgence- 5:11
Defiance of and presumption of knowledge of God's will
5:18
Calling evil good and good evil- 5:20
Self Pride- 5:21
Denial of justice- 5:22.
Those woes seem to be characteristics of a stiff necked, proud group.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV come to mind:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
How do you find direction as you work in the vineyard?
Is there anything you are not doing that the Spirit is calling you to do in the vineyard?
What kind of grapes do you see?
Pray to be strengthened on a moment by moment basis knowing that you have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection and have died to sin.
In Christ,
David P
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