Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"What more could have been done to My vineyard"
Text: Isaiah 5:4
A SOLEMN DECISION
The LORD entered into an open discussion with Jerusalem and Judah. The facts were presented and then an invitation to respond candidly.
“And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,
Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.
What more could have been done to My vineyard
That I have not done in it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes,
Did it bring forth wild grapes?
And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard:
I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned;
And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.”
Isaiah 5:3-5
1. Addressing the nation directly.
a) The city of Jerusalem was:
i) The commercial centre.
ii) The political centre.
iii) The religious centre.
b) Judah, the Southern Kingdom:
i) Together they represent the Vineyard of the LORD.
ii) Everything that could be done was accomplished to help the nation.
iii) The inhabitants were encouraged to respond.
2. Questions raised.
a) What more could have been done for the Vineyard?
b) Why did the Vineyard have wild grapes instead of good ones?
c) Judah knew the answer.
d) But the nation did not respond.
3. The Decision of the LORD.
a) This was not an immediate decision.
i) God gave Judah much space to ponder and to respond positively.
ii) But Judah had rejected the ways of the LORD.
iii) It chose idolatry instead.
b) The pronouncement of God’s decision.
i) God will remove His protection (“the hedge”).
ii) The walls of Jerusalem would be brought down.
iii) The city of Jerusalem would be brought down and burned by the invaders (Babylonians).