It Starts Small

Isaiah 5 begins with a parable in the form of a song. Isaiah sings to his “beloved” about a vineyard. His beloved is revealed to be the Lord. The vineyard will turn out to be the people of Israel.

We can imagine the scene as it is spoken. Set atop a fertile hill, Isaiah’s beloved did the extensive work required to develop his vineyard. He dug out all the stones and planted the grape vines. He did not just plant any old type of grape vine. He planted the best. He crafted a watchtower in the middle, and he created a wine vat out of the rock. Then he cultivated the vineyard for the two years it takes to produce the first crop of grapes.

Finally, the grapes came in, but they were sour, making them useless for making wine. Isaiah’s beloved called out to the men of Jerusalem and Judah. He asked what he should have done differently to create usable grapes. Then he declared his plans to lay the vineyard to waste. He would remove the hedge. He would also remove the wall. This action would allow the animals to come in. They would eat and destroy the vines. He would not work the ground, allowing the thorns to take root and grow. He would even direct the clouds not to rain on his vineyard.

Next, Isaiah reveals that Israel is the vineyard of the Lord. God’s intention was for the people of Judah to be able produce good fruit. Instead of yielding the good grapes of justice, they have produced bloodshed. His people have provoked outcries from those who are mistreated instead of growing righteousness.

Paul spoke specifically to us the kind of fruit we should produce:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22-25

It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we live by the Spirit, we will allow Him to produce within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Only these fruits come from Him. However, if we do not walk in step with the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us what we produce instead:

 ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:26

Sour grapes. The kind that Isaiah is speaking about.

When we go back and re-read the opening passages – think about how much attention, love, care and detail the Lord put into building His vineyard. What does this say about God?

How do these verses describe God’s relationship with His people?

When God is looking for good fruit, what is He looking for?

What were the “sour grapes” in His vineyard? How can we recognize good fruit and sour fruit?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.