(9) Vines (i)The Vineyard – Vines important as they provided only other source of drink other than water & represented a joyful & fulfilled life, full of blessing & prosperity (1 Kings 4:25). (ii)Raisins (dried grapes) formed important part of Jewish diet (Num 6:3; 1 Sam 30:12; 2 Sam 16:1) (iii)Was economical for villages to have own vineyard often owned by absentee landlords and run by small tenant farmers who received a percentage of produce as earnings (1 Kgs 21:6; Matt 20:1; Luke 20:9-10) IMPRESSIONS of the Vine: Used to represent God’s chosen people (Ps 80:8-14; Isa 5:1-5) – especially the church in NT (Jn 15). Symbol of joy, prosperity,peace and fruitfulness. In Jesus’ parable of the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16;21:33-) Who is…. The Landowner (Matt 20:1; 21:33) The Vineyard (Matt 20:1; 21:33) The servant/steward (Matt 20:8; 21:34) The vinedressers/labourers (Matt 20:1-3; 21:34-35) The Son of the landowner (Matt 21:37)

The preparation of the Vineyard… IMPRESSIONS of building Vineyard: The whole process of building/re-building vineyard is likened to national revival (Psalm 80:8-18) It shows the planting of God’s people, taking away hard hearts(stones) through repentance, building walls of salvation to keep out demonic influence (foxes – Songs 2:15 -, bears – Ps 80:13- and thieves – Jer 49:9)that rob fruitfulness (grapes). The watchtower is place of vision (Hab 2:1-4).

The Process of Winemaking… Sweet grapes not wild ones (cultivation is the key) i.The Silence – absence of vinedresser for 5 months – no rain, only morning dew. IMPRESSIONS of the Silence: Time of God seeming quiet – silent blessings in morning devotions. ii. The Pruning : Vines are selfish & hoard water (blessings) for leaves not fruit. Pruning was severe but necessary – done every spring (Lev 2:3). Only vine stalk is seen after pruning. Pruning hook used. IMPRESSIONS of Pruning: Isa 5:6 and John 15:2 – Spiritual discipline. Pruning hook: Isa 2:4; 18:5; Joel 3:10 – methods. iii. The Rescue: Vines too full of water (blessing) would not bear fruit unless lifted up on a rock (John 15:2 should be ‘lifted up’ not ‘take away’). See Ezek 17:6 – vinedresser would know each vine by name and how much to lift it up (would bear many grapes after lifting) IMPRESSIONS of the Rescue: Must receive blessings on foundation of the Rock (Jesus) and being lifted by Him.

The Winepress…. The grapes would then be gathered (on reaching maturity) in baskets and taken to the winepress (Hos 9:2) which was hewn out of solid rock…. IMPRESSIONS of Winemaking: The overall process is the evidence of Holy Ghost joy working in and through a person or church ( Gen 27:25; Esther 1:7). Wine = Joy of Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; Acts 2:15-7) & living in wisdom (Prov 9:2,5). Was used as internal (1 Tim 5:23; Mk 15:23) and external (Luke 10:34- clean & disinfect wounds) medicine – see Prov 15:13 and Ps 104:15 For this joy of the Holy Ghost we must go through the spiritual winemaking process: Winepress = Isa 63:3; Jer 25:30; Rev 19:15 Refining Process = Isa 25:6; Jer 48:11 Storing in Wineskins = Matt 9:17 Comment on Ex 23:11; Deut 20:6; 22:9; 23:24; Lev 19:10,23-25

(10) Making Olive Oil Olive collected by shaking the tree and collecting in a cloth (unripe ones left for the poor – Deut 24:20; Isa 17:6). Then taken in baskets to oil press where they were crushed to make olive oil (Deut 33:12; Mi 6:15). Oil then left in to separate from foreign matter and stored in jars or rock cisterns. ‘Gethsemane’ means ‘oil press’ and shows the crushing process Jesus went through. Olive oil was symbol of prosperity (Deut 32:13) and gladness (Isa 61:3) and that which brings unity (Ps 133) IMPRESSIONS of Olive Oil: The anointing! It’s a symbol of the anointing in the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 2:20,27). Prophets (1 Kgs 19:16); Priests (Lev 8:12) and Kings (1 Sam 16:13) were all anointed for ministry with Olive oil – Isa 11:2, Jn 1:32 Used for illumination (Matt 25:3-4; Ex 25:6) which is spiritually what anointing does. Use for healing (Jas 5:13-16) which is what anointing brings. Would be used to make skin & hair shine (Ps 104:15) – anointing shines forth glory of God.

(11) Feasting (Last Supper)