22 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; (Isaiah 5:2)

The Lord, as the Keeper of the vineyard, anticipates a bountiful harvest of good grapes, symbolising "justice" and "righteousness" as a result of His diligent care and nourishment. His people have been the recipients of His abundant goodness, love, and grace. However, instead of producing the expected good grapes, the vineyard yields wild grapes. These wild grapes are sour, inedible, and utterly unsuitable for making wine. The original Hebrew word for "wild" is linked with the idea of "stinking" or "worthless" things, which are deemed fit only for destruction.

This imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual condition of God's people, who have failed to live up to their divine calling and purpose. Despite receiving the Lord's blessings and care, they have allowed themselves to become corrupted and unfruitful, warranting divine judgment and intervention to restore the vineyard to its intended state of righteousness and justice.

So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. (Isaiah 5:2)

God expects something from us. He expects us to bear fruit. The very reason that God chose us was to bear fruit. (John 15:16). The vineyard had all the advantages, but instead, it brought forth wild grapes.

⁵And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.⁶I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it." (Isaiah 5:5-6)

Four things would happen if the Vineyard did not bear fruit:

1). Protection will be removed – take away its hedge and break the wall.

All that the owner of the vineyard had to do was to take away the hedge (signifying protection), and the vineyard would be burnt and trampled down because of the lack of protection.

2). No correction – no instruction – not pruned or dug

3). No rain – nor refreshing

4). Come under Judgement (John 15:6) – thrown into the fire and they are burned

The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands. ¹³Therefore, my people have gone into captivity. (Isaiah 5:12-13)

Individuals who neglect their spiritual connection with God due to excessive partying and immersion in worldly entertainment risk facing divine judgment. This captivity of the soul may ultimately bring an end to their laughter and enjoyment, serving as a stark reminder of their forgotten faith. And he who is jubilant shall descend into it (Sheol). Isaiah 5:14

Chapter 5