Proper 22: Old Testament, Isaiah 5:1-7                                  

Isaiah 5:1-7

Vines, leaves, grapes, and such. Often this is a picture of God’s people in the Old Testament. God had a vineyard, says old Isaiah. It was Israel and the people of both southern and northern kingdoms were included. Remember, in Isaiah’s day the kingdom of God’s people was still split. While Isaiah primarily dealt with the south this prophetic utterance includes both.

God reminds His people through the prophet that He had done absolutely everything needed from planting to present day for His vineyard. “Meh.” That’s what the Lord got in return for His loving investment. “We’ve always been here. Always will.”

My! How I hear the voices from the vineyard in the church today. “We’ve always been here. Always will.” Apathy. Indifference. Self-satisfaction. Not from every vine and grape. But from far too many.

Awaken, O vineyard!