Isaiah 27:2-3 In that day sing you to her, A vineyard of red wine.… What a contrast between the vineyard here spoken of and that whose history was given in the fifth chapter of this prophet. That was a favoured vineyard. Everything was done for it to promote its fruitfulness; but what sort of fruit did it produce? "God looked that it should bring forth grapes: and it brought forth wild grapes." What happened then? His indignation fell upon it. By that unfruitful vineyard was represented the Jewish people. But now turn and behold the other vineyard - that which is brought before us by my text. This vineyard is the real, spiritual Church of the Redeemer. I. THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN OF THIS VINEYARD. The spiritual Church of Jesus is "a vineyard of red wine." 1. By this "red wine" may be intended, perhaps in part, the faith of Christ's elect people. "Red wine" was in great esteem amongst ancient Jews, as appears in Proverbs 23:31. 2. The Lord may call His Church "a vineyard of red wine," in reference to the love she bears to Him. 3. Christ's Church is a "vineyard of red wine," because she "abounds in all the fruits of righteousness." II. THE PRIVILEGE WHICH IT IS REPRESENTED AS ENJOYING. The vineyards of the Jews were carefully kept and cultivated. The vines in the country of the Jews appear to have needed constant watering. The Lord's spiritual vineyard needs perpetual watering from above. These natural vineyards in which the Jewish land abounded required, however, something more than cultivation. A chief part of the duty of the "keepers of the vineyard" was to protect the vines from depredation. And is the spiritual vineyard less exposed? (A. Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. |
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