Isaiah 5:1-7

¹ Let me sing for my loved one a song of my love concerning his vineyard: A vineyard was for my loved one on a horn[1] full of olive oil. ² And he dug it and cleared it of stones, and he planted it, a choice vine, and he built a watchtower in the middle of it, and he even dug out a wine vat in it, and he waited for grapes to come– but it yielded wild grapes. ³ And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and man of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. ⁴ What more could I do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? Why did I expect grapes to come, and it yielded wild grapes? ⁵ So, now let me tell you what I myself am about to do to my vineyard: remove its hedge, and it will become a wreckage, break down its wall, and it will become a stomping place. ⁶ And I will make it a wasteland; it will not be pruned and hoed, and it will become overgrown with brier and thorn bush. And I will prevent the clouds from sending rain down upon it. ⁷ Because the vineyard of Yahveh of armies is the house of Israel, and the man from Judah the crop that he enjoys. He waited for justice,[2] but see what came! Bloodshed![3] He waited for righteousness,[4] but see what came! A cry of distress![5]

the vineyard of Yahveh of armies

Isaiah calls God Yahveh of armies 520 times. It is a picture of the LORD as one who commands the armies of both angels and men. It describes God as a mighty warrior. But here Isaiah speaks of this warrior God as if he had a side-job as a gentle farmer. The warrior God planted a vineyard and waited patiently for the fruit to develop on the vines. He used his awesome power to create a hedge around his vineyard, protecting it from intruders and disease, so that its growth would not be hindered.

But then the unthinkable happened. The fruit that developed on the vines was the wrong fruit. So, even though the house of Israel is Yahveh’s vineyard, and the man from Judah is his preferred crop, he will removed his protection and let the vineyard be taken back by the elements and intruders. The farmer will revert to warrior, and this time his warfare will be aimed at his own failed vineyard.

Oh sinner, you have enjoyed the protection of an invisible farmer all your life. But at some point this patient farmer will take a good look at the fruit you have been developing on your vines. He wants to see justice and righteousness. And if he does not, he has another option. He can remove your protection. The farmer is still the warrior. He is still Yahveh of armies. Come to him in repentance while his protective hand is still on you. You do not want to experience his hand of warfare.

LORD, forgive us for producing the wrong fruit. Cleans us with the atoning blood of Christ, and make us fruitful for his kingdom.

[1] a symbol for a hill, the word horn sounds like the word vineyard in Hebrew.

[2] Hebrew: mishpat.

[3] Hebrew: mishpach.

[4] Hebrew: tsedaqah.

[5] Hebrew: tsa`aqah.