What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? (Isaiah 5:4)
As we continue to survey the land with Isaiah, we continue to be dismayed at the sight before our eyes. The people have learned to trust everything and everyone BUT God. God’s promise to take away everything they trust in leaves no stone unturned. He will take away their daily necessities such as bread and water. Their military strength will fail. Judges and prophets, those who were supposed to give judgment naturally and spiritually, will prove false. Diviners who they trusted to tell their future and elders who they relied on to discern the past will have no answers. Neither the delegated authority of the captains, nor those who have earned honor for their deeds will be able to be trusted. The counselors who were once able to present plans, and the expert artisans who had the wisdom to bring plans into reality no longer have the wherewithal to formulate or initiate the plans to save the people. No longer are the skillful enchanters able to charm, manipulate and seduce the minds of men and dupe them to do their bidding. Instead, immature, impulsive, and unpredictable leaders will rule them.
Our trip through God’s vineyard is a sad sight to see. God planted choice vines, placed them in the best soil, watered, fertilized and pruned, but the finished product was not worth gathering in. The more we understand God’s love for this vineyard, the more we will identify with Jesus’ words later on when He warns Israel that God will prune away the worthless branches and graft in new ones.
Isaiah is an amazing artist who, by the power of God, is able to paint some exotic pictures. His depictions remind me of the 3-D pictures that can only be perceived by those who are able to properly focus. Many people are unable to see the hidden images because they are only able to focus on the surface of the picture. To see the mysterious representation, one must be able to focus beyond the immediate visual rendering. Although Isaiah speaks of the devastation to come and paints a picture of God’s plan to restore His people, those who are able to view it with a proper focus are able to see that the hidden truths speak of the end of time and the Messianic reign of Christ. With a proper focus, we are able to see that the prophetic word concerning the king of Babylon and his coming fall also predicts the total destruction of Satan himself. The one who once believed he held the world in the power of his hand and manipulated mankind to do his bidding will find himself dethroned and humiliated in front of the ones who had put their trust in him.
As sure as God is on His heavenly throne, there will come a day of reckoning! It’s not a pretty sight. May this picture remind us to hold fast to God’s ways in the midst of this dark world!!!
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