The Vineyard of The Lord Destroyed
May 23, 2021
Commentary
In the first stanza of this song which Isaiah composed he sang about God’s care for His vineyard and the condition of the vineyard (vv. 1-2). The second stanza details what God said in view of her condition (vv. 3-6). In the third stanza the vineyard in the figure is identified (v. 7). Elsewhere God referred to Israel as a vineyard (Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 15:6-8; Hosea 10:1). In his song Isaiah pictured God), planting a vineyard on a fertile hillside, removing the stones and planting only the best vines (vv. 1-2). He built a watchtower, a stone structure from which to guard the vineyard.
The words in these verses in the song are “spoken” by God. He asked the people of Judah to judge the situation (vv. 3-6). They were to tell whether the bad grapes were the fault of the vineyard owner. Though God could have done nothing more to make the vineyard productive (v. 4) there was one thing He would now do: He would let it be destroyed (vv. 5-6). By removing the protective hedge (probably stone wall) around it, He would allow animals (including foxes) to enter and destroy it. Without cultivating the vines, thorn bushes would grow up and smother them. Nor would God let rain fall on the vineyard. Because of the nation’s sinful actions (bad fruit), destruction would come.
The vineyard in this song is identified as Israel and Judah (v. 7). Delighting in His people, God wanted good fruit, that is, justice and righteousness. Instead He saw only bloodshed and heard cries of distress. Because of its “bad grapes” (injustice) most people would be killed or taken into captivity. Isaiah used two interesting cases to stress the contrast between what God expected in His people and what happened to them. “Justice” was replaced with “bloodshed.”
Application
“By their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:20). I need to be examing my “fruits” to see if they are good or bad, useful or wild?
Isaiah 5:1– 7 (NET)
1 I will sing to my loveā a song to my lover about his vineyard. My love had a vineyard on a fertile hill.
2 He built a hedge around it, removed its stones, and planted a vine. He built a tower in the middle of it, and constructed a winepress. He waited for it to produce edible grapes, but it produced sour ones instead.
3 So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard!
4 What more can I do for my vineyard beyond what I have already done? When I waited for it to produce edible grapes, why did it produce sour ones instead?
5 Now I will inform you what I am about to do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge and turn it into pasture, I will break its wall and allow animals to graze there.
6 I will make it a wasteland; no one will prune its vines or hoe its ground, and thorns and briers will grow there. I will order the clouds not to drop any rain on it.
7 Indeed, Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heavenās Armies, the people of Judah are the cultivated place in which he took delight. He waited for justice, but look what he gotādisobedience! He waited for fairness, but look what he gotācries for help!