Vineyards and the growing of grapes were a very important part of Israeli culture, with grapes and grape products being important commodities in their economy, the vine also being a symbol of peace and prosperity. The people thus being very familiar with viticulture and its value in their lives, God used it to describe them (Israel in the Old Testament) as His vineyard and choice vine from which He looked for good grapes, but alas instead it produced wild grapes in spite of all He had done for it, Isaiah 5:1-7. In the New Testament the picture carries over and includes the Church as Jesus uses the vine and vineyards in several parables teaching about the kingdom of heaven, see Matthew 20:1-16; 21:25-41. He also used the vine and the branches describing Himself as the vine and His followers the branches from which The Father is expecting much good fruit, John 15:1-8 (cf. Luke 13:6-9 where the fig tree is planted in the vineyard). These parables show the Fathers care for us as He prunes, cultivates, and nurtures us that we might be healthy and productive branches, as He had done for Israel. Are we submitting to His care and producing good fruit, or are we resisting it and bringing forth” wild grapes”?
God’s vineyard
By Rose Hill
God’s children are His vineyard lovely to behold,
They are His forever, never to be sold.
He makes them grow both strong and tall,
Much beauty in them will be seen by all.
Of such strength the world has never heard,
For He gives them the water of His word.
He surrounds them with the sunshine of His love,
And sends them blessings from above.
He is their keeper and causes them to grow,
That of His power the world will know.
So come to His vineyard beautiful and rare,
And find His presence to be always there.