The Vineyard

Of The Lord

 

 

Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: 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; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

 

And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield 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; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

 

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!

 

Isaiah 5:1-7

 

Remember the liberties you have. Do not take them for granted, and do not take Our Lord for granted. Do not allow yourself to be part of a nation of individuals who selfishly insist on your own rights, but make unfair demands on others.

 

God is the LORD of the vineyard. He expects us to produce the fruits of love and obedience instead of the wild grapes of ingratitude and wickedness. As we thank God for our rights, do not forget the rights of God.

 

True freedom is not in having your own way, but in yielding to God's way.

 

Our Daily Bread - July 5, 2005