Isaiah 27:1-6
1 On that day, Yahveh will punish Leviathan with his cruel, large and strong sword, that fleeing serpent, and Leviathan, that twisting serpent, and he will kill the sea monster that lives in the sea. 2 On that day: “A vineyard of beauty! Sing in praise of it! 3 I, Yahveh, am her keeper; I water it moment by moment; so no harm comes to it, I guard it night and day; 4 There is no wrath against me. Whatever brings me thorns and briers, I will fight against in battle. I will burn it up completely. 5 Or let it grasp at my protection; let it make peace with me; peace let it make with me.” 6 The ones who come, he will root in Jacob; Israel will blossom and send out shoots, and they will fill the world’s face with fruit.
vicious vintner
Israel is depicted as a vineyard, and Yahveh as a vicious protective vintner, determined to grow his vineyard and destroy all obstacles. The great sea monster, Leviathan, can not stop him. No one dares display wrath toward that vineyard keeper. He does not take prisoners. He waters the vineyard, but he burns up the thorns and briers. His goal is to fill the world’s face with fruit from his vineyard. The only way to avoid destruction from this vicious vintner? Make peace with him – become part of his vineyard. He can root you in Jacob. Have you made peace with him?
LORD, we surrender. Make us part of your eternal vineyard.
