The Vineyard of The Lord Destroyed

Isaiah 5:1–7
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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?