God’s Vineyard
Introduction:
Vineyards were very common in the days of Isaiah. They were
important to the world. They were carefully cultivated and
protected. The grapes were harvested shortly before the Feast of
Booths [Tabernacles]. Vineyards were seen as a symbol of prosperity.
The prophet Isaiah used a parable of a vineyard to teach Israel [and
us] a very valuable lesson.
Text:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Body:
I. God’s Care for the Vineyard
(Verses
1-2)
·
“Well-Beloved” – God Himself “Vineyard” – His people Israel (Psalm
80:8-9)
·
The vineyard had many advantages. The owner obviously cared for it.
It was planted on a fruitful hill with the choicest vine. A noble
vine had the seed of the highest quality. (Jeremiah
2:21a)
The soil had been carefully prepared and the gardener had removed
all impediments to growth. The vineyard owed its existence to the
gardener.
·
Many nations had been “dug out” of Canaan to make room for Israel. (Deuteronomy
4:37-38)
Armies had been defeated, kings slain, and cities captured.
·
Questions: Are we bearing fruit considering all the advantages we
possess? We have privileges, resources, and opportunities. (Galatians
5:22-23)
Are we promoting the kingdom by our lives?
·
God expected a great harvest: obedience to His Word, love for Him as
the Heavenly Father, worship of Him as the only true God. But He
received wild grapes, bitter, noxious, foul-smelling. The vineyard
produced what you would expect if nothing had been done to it. Note
Deuteronomy 32:32-33.
Sin of disobedience, rebellion, and idolatry is bitter, noxious, and
foul-smelling.
II. God’s Frustration with the Vineyard
(Verses
3-4)
·
The Israelites knew how much work it took to grow a vineyard.
Usually it took two years for the vineyard to produce fruit. The
owner had done everything he could.
·
Here Jehovah is calling upon Israel to judge themselves. Hadn’t God
taken care of every need? Hadn’t He watched over and protected them?
They had been given every chance to be fruitful, but their lack of
good fruit was plain. God’s frustration is clearly seen. (Matthew
23:37)
·
Every person has the chance to be fruitful. It is possible to
receive God’s grace in vain. (II
Corinthians 6:1-2)
Have we given God our hardness of heart instead of repentance;
indifference, instead of love; idleness, instead of service?
III. God’s Future for the Vineyard
(Verses
5-7)
·
Jehovah’s hedge of protection would be removed and the vineyard
trampled by foreign powers. (Psalm
80:12-13)
·
Barrenness would result. (Deuteronomy
28:33)
·
Jehovah had looked for justice, but had received oppression. He had
looked for righteousness, but had gotten distress. [O cry for help.]
There is word play in the Hebrew; each set of words is almost
identical in Hebrew.
Conclusion:
God has given us the way of salvation and poured blessings upon us
through His Son. He expects faith and obedience.
Bobby Stafford
January 19, 2014
Video
