In this chapter, Isaiah uses a song to describe Israel’s destruction. Here’s how the chapter begins: “Now I will sing a song for the one I love about his vineyard:
My beloved has a vineyard on a rich and fertile hill
He plowed the land, cleared its stones, and planted it with choice vines.
In the middle he built a watchtower and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.
Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes, but the grapes that grew were wild and sour.
“Now, you people of Jerusalem and Judah, you have heard the case; you be the judges. What more could I have done to cultivate a rich harvest? Why did my vineyard give me wild grapes when I expected sweet ones?
Now this is what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will tear down its fences and let it be destroyed. I will break down its walls and let the animals trample it. I will make it a wild place. I will not prune the vines or hoe the ground. I will let it be overgrown with briers and thorns. I will command the clouds to drop no more rain on it.”
This is the story of the Lord’s people. They are the vineyard of the Lord Almighty. Israel and Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected them to yield a crop of justice, but instead he found bloodshed. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of oppression.” (Isaiah 5:1-7) (Wow! Notice when the Lord said, “Now this is what I am going to do to my vineyard,” and He goes on to list the things He’s going to do and subsequently allow to happen to his vineyard/people. It’s interesting how God uses this analogy to speak to us today! When we are going through the storms of life, has He removed some protective fences or walls which allow life to trample us because of our ungodly ways? Just thinking aloud.)
The chapter continues with a powerful statement about His people not knowing him in verse 11-13: “Destruction is certain for you who get up early to begin long drinking bouts that last late into the night. You furnish lovely music and wine at your grand parties; the harps, lyres, tambourines, and flutes are superb! But you never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing. So I will send my people into exile far away because they do not know me.” (Wow…get to know the Lord!)
The rest of the chapter highlights God’s judgment on His people. Read the rest of it for yourself and see how God allowed other nations to trample the people of Israel.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us be who you want us to be. Help us get to know you, so we can please you and follow your ways. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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