Isaiah 5:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 5:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. Verse 2He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. Verse 3And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. Verse 4What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? Verse 5And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. Verse 6I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. Verse 7For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!
Devotion
Boy, do I hate asking for help. I’d much rather do things on my own, my way, under my control. Sometimes, though, no matter how much I try, no matter how carefully I’ve laid my plans, things go awry. I then try to fix the problem on my own, using all my resources and doing everything I can, until a trusted friend or my patient husband reminds me that I might need help. At some point everyone needs help—even God’s own people.
This reading from Isaiah is confusing and tough, until we realize that it’s an introduction to God’s people in need. No matter how many advantages they have been given, God’s people are still not doing well and they need help. These seven verses (and the four chapters before them) are setting the stage for God to send Isaiah as a prophet to help God’s people—whether they want it or not.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for knowing our needs, even when we are unaware. We are stubborn and want to do things on our own. We try as hard as we can and we still can’t get it right. It’s so comforting to know that you are there for us even when we don’t think we need your help. Amen
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