Bitter Grapes From A Beautiful Vineyard

Introduction

Just like many other southern Americans I enjoy gravy! It is the savior of dry meat. And the defeater of a dry biscuit. But the process is something that takes work and care. When you are making a certain type of gravy after frying some meat you have to take care not to burn the drippings. Those good seasoned pieces that stick around in the grease. Then you have to decide is the base of your gravy going to include some dairy. Will it have butter? Will it have some milk? Will you make a rue? You then must carefully whisk together your ingredients. And the environment inside of the skillet must be right. If it has too much flour, you run the risk of having pudding. If the heat is too high then you may end up with clumps. Taking your time will ensure that you have a creamy yet heavy and savory gravy. But what if you put in the all that effort, tie, and care and it still did not turn out right? What if you had done everything correctly and then the gravy decided that it did not want to be what you wanted it to be? How terrible for the creation that you cared for to shun you. Seems absurd but today I want to speak to you about that very thing. Turn with me to the Old testament book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 5:1–7 NKJV

1 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. 3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 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? 5 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. 6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it.” 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

Conclusion

God has gone through the process of preparing a way for us. He has set up the perfect conditions, offered a place for growth, and provided protection from outside elements. If we choose to not be what He wants, we run the risk of losing such protection and provision. Do not, as the creation, seek to be anything other what the creator would have you to be.