This chapter has a couple of themes including an analogy of the Lord’s vineyard (His people) and a lament for the wicked.
“…My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured… and it shall be trampled down… I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” (v1-2,5-6 abr)
Isaiah tells us of the Lord’s vineyard, later explaining it’s an analogy for His people. Like a vineyard owner who prepares a place for the choicest of grapes to flourish only to have a disappointing crop, the Lord put in all the work possible, preparing His people for obedience, yet they chose disobedience instead.
God wants to bless His people with His generous presence and all that entails. Yet, when His people turn from Him, God sadly withholds His provision and protection, allowing extra consequences to befall them (like a vineyard falling victim to all types of damage when it’s not protected).
God gives us everything we need to remain steadfast and obedient, including free will. We can freely choose to obey, or disobey. When we obey, we Jesus produces the choicest of fruit through us, which is beautiful and delicious to all. When we disobey, the fruit is sour and can be undesirable.
I encourage us to remain obedient and faithful to God, partnering with Him to produce good fruit. When others see us glorifying the vineyard keeper, Jesus, and the good fruit that He grows, they may also choose to honor and obey Him.
This is not a “prosperity gospel” teaching, I’m not promising God will give us perfect lives and health in exchange for our obedience – that’s not what scripture teaches. What I am suggesting is our obedience and the fruit produced in our lives glorifies God, and influences the eternal wellbeing of ourselves and those around us. God may choose to bless us in additional ways in this life, possibly sparing us from extra consequences, though I cannot make that promise on His behalf. He asks that we obey out of love for Him and Jesus, not out of selfish desire for additional blessings or fewer consequences. Our love for Jesus must be our motivation.
Father God, our Loving and Protective Lord, Your provision is more than sufficient for our needs. Thank you for partnering with us through Your Holy Spirit to share Your gospel message with the world. Please produce good fruit through us that glorifies You and encourages others to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We praise, honor and adore You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training