Lesson on Isaiah 5:1-7

In the previous lesson, we reviewed Isaiah's commentary on the women of Jerusalem. In this lesson, we will read a short parable that conveys God's justified anger with His people.

Isaiah 5:1-7. (NIV)(NASB)(NKJV)(NCV)

In this passage, we notice a severe contrast between what God should find and what He does find in His people. Isaiah speaks first in verses 1-2. Isaiah says he will sing for the one he loves, which is God. (Verse 7 identifies the vineyard's owner as God.) Isaiah says that God looks for a harvest of good grapes, but finds a poor harvest instead (Isaiah 5:2). When God speaks, He reiterates this concept: "'When I looked for good grapes, / why did it yield only bad?'" (Isaiah 5:4). In verse 7, Isaiah provides the interpretation of the parable. Again, he mentions that God found bloodshed where He should have found justice and oppression where He should have found righteousness.

This contrast becomes more gripping when we consider the care that preceded this bad harvest. Isaiah describes the intensive care of the owner for his vineyard. He digs up the stones, plants the vines, builds a shelter, and cuts a winepress (Isaiah 5:2). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains, "The cultivation of the vine requires constant care or the fruit will very soon degenerate." From repairing broken walls and clearing the ground of weeds to pruning branches and defending the fruit from animals, the vineyard workers must exercise diligence in every task. ¹ In the case Isaiah describes, however, the fruit hasn't degenerated because of the owner's care. In fact, the owner has done everything right.

God asks a key question that reveals the responsibility for the bad harvest. He says, "'What more could have been done for my vineyard / than I have done for it?'" (Isaiah 5:4). From reading the description of care in the previous verses, we should understand that the answer to this question is nothing. God could have done nothing more for His people than to act supernaturally on their behalf hundreds of times. He could have done nothing more than pour out His mercy time after time. Thus, the responsibility lies with them; they have not responded appropriately to His tender care for them.

Jesus also uses vineyard imagery to teach the same lesson. Like Isaiah, He pictures God the Father as the owner of the vineyard, and God's people as the vines. Jesus adds the fact that we are vines shooting out from Him (John 15:1-5). We cannot produce fruit without Him. Jesus says, "'Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me'" (John 15:4). Jesus later instructs His disciples how to remain in Him: "'If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love'" (John 15:10).

In this passage, we see a joint effort between Jesus and His students. He says they can't bear fruit without Him, but they are also responsible to take action. Dallas Willard explains this concept well. He writes, "This process of 'conformation to Christ,' as we might more appropriately call it, is constantly supported by grace and otherwise would be impossible. But it is not therefore passive. Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort." ²

God looks for the same fruits in His followers today as He did in the days of Isaiah. Justice, compassion, integrity, and other fruit remain just as important today as they ever were. Jesus' teaching doesn't indicate they are inherent traits. Instead, He says that they flow from a life submitted to Him.

To read the previous lesson from Isaiah, click here.
To read the next lesson from Isaiah, click here.

¹ E.W.G. Masterman. "Vine," International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Heartlight.
² Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship (New York: HarperCollins, 2006) 80.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.