The Vineyard of God

Psalm 80
v.8 You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.
v.9 You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.
 
Israel was described as a vine that God planted and took care of, looking for the enjoyment of the fruit which comes from it.

A vine does not grow a straight, tall trunk from which sturdy beams for building houses and ships can be obtained. Neither does a vine produce strong wood that can be made into household utensils or farming implements. It doesn't stack well when cut as firewood, nor does it produce an even, hot flame, but rather it pops and snaps in the fire, sending out sparks and making a lot of smoke. It is too flexible to use as a staff or walking stick, bending when weight is placed on it.

Ezekiel 15
v.1 The word of the Lord came to me:
v.2 “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?
v.3 Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on?
v.4 And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?

A vine grows in a twisting, gnarled shape which has no beauty or symmetry to it, unable even to support itself, relying on external objects to raise it up from the ground. Without that outside support, the flowers, and the fruit which forms from them, get muddy, encrusted, and the fruit spoils or is eaten by the wild animals.

Song of Solomon 2:15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

Yet that very lack of form and sturdiness allows a flexibility that can adapt to many different situations and endure storms which break trees far larger and stronger than the vine. The ability to grow in a variety of directions makes it possible for a vine-dresser to train it to grow where it can receive the most beneficial conditions of sun and rain, without suffering the detriments.

Zechariah 8:12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

It can be trained to grow as cover on an arbor, giving cooling shade which invites a breeze spreading the fragrance first of the flowers, then of the ripening fruit. It will be spared when men are harvesting large trees for their timber, for men consider the vine to be useless for their needs, of little importance, although they enjoy the fruit to refresh themselves.

Joel 2:19 The Lord replied to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.

The fruit is what is most valued from the vine, both in its sweetness when enjoyed during the day and eaten in passing, whether by a chance encounter or by choosing to visit a vine nearby and spend time at it. Equally so, the natural ferment that converts the sweet fruit to the new wine that gladdens the hearts of those who enjoy it make few people the enemy of the vine.

Psalm 104:15 [The Lord makes] wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.

Scriptures warn about the forced fermentation that man causes in order to concentrate the spirits, making people lose their judgement and behave foolishly; it is granted for those trying to forget their pain, but directs those in responsible positions such as judges (priests) and authorities (kings) to avoid the strong drink that man contrives.

Proverbs 31
v.4 It is not for kings, Lemuel--it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
v.5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
v.6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
v.7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Spiritually speaking, Jesus is the vine and God is the vine-dresser. Jesus did nothing of Himself, but only spoke and did what the Father directed Him in. The vine does not support itself, but allows external support to provide what is needed. We are the branches where the fruit develops. We must remain connected, abiding in the vine for the life to flow through us and allow the fruit, fresh and sweet, to be harvested and used by the Father.

John 15
v.8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
v.16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

The "new wine" of the Spirit of God, given to and through the Body of Christ, is always something that attracts those who have a heart hungry for the things of God, and is rejected by those who refuse God's work in their life.

Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves,

The vine and its branches have no visible comeliness or beauty, no stature or strength, remaining low to the ground and humble, but through the efforts and wisdom of the gardener, the grape harvest is the highlight and celebration of the year.
 
Religious leaders, who look for power and the praise of men, try to concentrate and capture the emotion, working it up and attracting people who live in their souls, their minds, their feelings, more than in their spirits. The people of God live by being guided and directed by the wisdom and the grace of God speaking through the Spirit and the Word. The Spirit of God gives us peace beyond understanding, calmness of thought instead of anxiety, joy in our hearts that becomes our strength day to day, which gives us stability and endurance. However, the emotional equivalent, or counterfeit, of God's Spirit does not satisfy, does not strengthen, does not calm, does not endure.

Let's abide in the vine, put our strength and effort into clinging more closely every day to the true vine, allowing more and more of the life of the Spirit to flow through us. It is that life which will, while we are drawing closer, produce the fruit without our even noticing. Press into Christ Jesus and let Him do His work in your heart and mind, bringing glory to the Father as His love grows in us and flows out from us.

Father God, thank You for the rich example You gave us of abiding in the vine and being trained by the Gardener. We choose to stop trying to develop the fruit by our efforts, Lord, and we rest in Your presence, delighting in Your love, and rejoice to discover that the fruit has appeared, not our credit, but to Your glory. Thank You that You give us that outside help, for we cannot lift ourselves, and You raise us up from the dirt, wash us clean, and place us in the sun where fruit can grow, and remain. Be exalted, O Lord, for You are worthy!

4P11T09I