Isaiah – Visions of our Lord “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts”

Isaiah 5 – six woes Vs.8-10: Accumulation of property Vs.11-17: Disregard of God’s word Vs. 18,19: Defying God V20 – Moral values inverted V21 – Full of self-satisfaction Vs.22,23 – Judgement is perverted “The anger of the LORD [was] kindled against his people” (v25).

A vineyard in the hill country of Judah A recently planted vineyard. Note the contrast with the surrounding uncultivated ground. Image courtesy www.HolyLandPhotos.org

The “tower” and “winepress” A well maintained “watchtower” from a farm in the hill country of Judah. A small ancient “winepress” carved into the rock. The circular hole is the receptacle in which the grape juice would be collected. Images courtesy www.HolyLandPhotos.org

“Middle wall of partition” (Eph. 2:14) See Isaiah’s Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). Paul refers to the Law as a “wall”. He was comparing it to a division in the Temple. In establishing unity of Jew and Gentile, Christ has “broken down the middle wall of partition”. Image courtesy www.HolyLandPhotos.org

Temple Inscription (1) This inscription, consisting of seven lines of Greek capitals, was found in Jerusalem in 1871 by Clermont Ganneau. It is currently housed in the Istanbul Museum.

Temple Inscription (2) The inscription gives the following warning: No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the temple and enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death.

“He … planted it” (Isaiah 5:2) “Planted” (Heb. nata), as in: “The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” (Genesis 2:8) “Yet I had planted thee a noble vine [‘choicest vine’ – Isa. 5:2], wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” (Jeremiah 2:21)

Gathering out the stones (Isaiah 5:2) This was God’s work: “He … gathered out the stones”, but Israel had to be involved in it. The stones represent the idolatrous Gentile inhabitants whom Israel had to drive out of the Land: “Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen (nations, RV), and planted it.” (Psalm 80:8)

The “tower” and “winepress” The watchtower is probably a reference to Jerusalem – a hill-top fortress which became the capital city in the Land. “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:8) If the tower is Jerusalem, perhaps the most appropriate application of the winepress or wine-vat is to the Temple, where all the gifts and offerings made under the Law were received.

“What could have been done more?” (Isaiah 5:3,4) Verse 3: note the similar appeal in 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” Verses 4,7: From His “pleasant plant”, God looked for the fruit of judgement and righteousness, but did not find it. Note Deut. 32:32: “For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter.” Jeremiah, a century after Isaiah, described the nation as “the degenerate plant of a strange vine” (Jer. 2:21). See Psalm 80:8-17.

“I am the true vine …” (John 15) There was a large golden vine on the porch of the Temple (see the horizontal band opposite) – perhaps the Lord’s teaching was delivered as he and his disciples entered the Temple Court and they would see it.

“It shall be trodden down” (Isaiah 5:5,6) Verse 5: Protective measures removed – note Lk. 21:22-24. Verse 6: “Briers and thorns” – see Isa. 7:23-25; 9:18; 10:17; 27:4. When God cursed the ground in Gen. 3:18, He said: “thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth” – these were indicative of nature, both wild and unrestrained. Briers and thorns, therefore, represent that which is wayward, evil and under the curse of God. The nation became unfruitful and accursed (see also Heb. 6:8: “that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned”). Verse 6: No rain on the worthless vine – as previously during the ministry of Elijah (1 Kings 17:1; see also Deut. 32:2) – the lack of rain spoke in a figurative sense of the work of God’s prophets ceasing. The vineyard would be laid waste, but the treading down would not last for ever.