Fruit Expected

Background Scripture: Isaiah 5
Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 5:1–10

Introduction

The song of the vineyard found in Isaiah 5 is God’s pleading call for his people to come to Him, inviting them to a life of reward and blessing. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). God must enjoy seeing all of life He created flourishing and thriving, evidenced by a world pulsing with vibrancy and color. The earth’s amazing, natural, fruit-bearing capability is an example of the blessings He desires to pour out upon anyone who will become a part of the fruitful vine, Jesus Christ. Like begets like, and God is looking for the sweet fruit of his Son in every true believer.

Key Verse

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (John 15:8).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The seed contained in an homer is larger in volume than the ephah of fruit the harvest yielded. A bath would be a little more than a five-gallon bucket of grape juice. Considering that ten acres of vineyard should yield about fifty tons of grapes, we can understand a little of God’s disappointment when He looked upon the people He loved and on whom He had poured out so much care and concern. He had given them so much, yet they were consuming everything for their own pleasure while yielding no good fruit to God.

The parable in today’s lesson is meant to touch the hearts of God’s people. How does one reach those whose hearts are cold and hard? Isaiah was tasked with getting a message through to a nation who had become selfish and greedy. When the Israelites came to Canaan, God gave each family an inheritance in the land. This parcel of land was to be a home for them where they and their descendants could dwell. If a person fell into hardship and needed financial help, he could sell his land at a discounted price. When times were better and he could afford it, he could buy his land back at the same price for which he sold it. It is plain to see that God had a plan for them to keep the land in the family and live securely and happily as neighbors.

If a person sold the land at its full value, however, it passed from his family and became the possession of the purchasing family. In this manner, the Israelites were effectively amassing wealth in fewer families. Instead of rejoicing in all that God had done for them and assisting the poor through benevolence and kindness, they were striving for more earthly possessions. The wealthy among them oppressed the poor and took advantage of their brethren. They sought to control more land and more houses so they could be more self-sufficient. The heart of God was heavy with sadness as he sent Isaiah with this story song that carried the message of a grim future. Would the people hear the message of this song? Would they hear the tones of love and care woven into the words of this allegory? Would it turn some hearts back to God who created them and provided this lovely land for them, or would they continue in their covetous path to the ruin of their descendants’ lives? The choice was before them, and the scene of what the sad consequences of rejecting God’s call would be was painted before them in vivid tones of poor crops and empty mansions.

Practical Truths for Today

What kind of fruit was God seeking from the Israelite nation? When the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot contended for pasture, did not Abraham leave a perfect example? He gave Lot the first choice, and Lot chose the best pasture, leaving the poorer conditions for his uncle. God rewarded Abraham richly by promising him and his seed that land forever. “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Gen. 13:14–15). When the herdsmen of Gerar strove with Isaac’s herdsmen for the water wells, Isaac moved to another place and dug another well. This happened twice to Isaac. Again, we see in Isaac an example of faith in God and the attitude of his father, Abraham. How the heart of God must have rejoiced to see Isaac make those choices! When he dug the third well and they didn’t contend for it but left him alone, Isaac said, “For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” (Gen. 26:22). Was this not the kind of fruitful disposition that God was seeking from the descendants of Abraham and Isaac? Having planted these people in a rich land, God was surely looking for hearts that had faith and trust in his providence. He desired to establish a people that honored his law above their own desires. They disappointed God with their greedy attitude.

What fruit is God seeking today from his people? Jesus told his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:1–2). Jesus Christ is the “choicest vine” planted in the very fruitful hill. Are we producing the fruit that God, the Husbandman, is hoping to obtain? Jesus said, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Oh, the beautiful spirit of Jesus Christ and the fullness of life that He gives!

The husbandman of a vineyard expects abundant fruit from a well-cultivated field. If that fruit does not come, he will be disappointed. The church of God could be likened to a beautiful and well-kept field. Is not the beautiful spirit of Jesus Christ and obedience to his teachings the fruit that God the Father is expecting from his disciples? How can we say that we believe in Jesus and are his disciples if we have not submitted ourselves to his teaching and doctrine?

Just as a grapevine needs to be pruned every year, so the disciples of Christ will need to be purged of impurities and decay. Many times, the very branch that we think is necessary and should remain for our fruit-bearing plant is the branch that God as Husbandman may prune off. Letting our own precious ideas and ideals be cut off will produce fruit that He desires. We must accept the ways of Christ and his church above our own vision and understanding. Only when we allow God to use our lives in the manner that He chooses will we be truly happy with life. There is peace in acceptance; acceptance of the circumstances of our life will bear good fruit and is one of the treasures of a Christian.

If we cannot accept the ways of Christ in our life, what will happen to us? In our lesson’s allegorical song, the only fruit found was wild grapes. How distasteful to the lord of the vineyard, who had invested so much to make this beautiful hillside bloom with bounty! God gave his only begotten Son to be our lifeline. The sap of eternal life flows from Jesus to us who have come to Him for salvation. Without this we are dead.

What is the meaning of the wild grapes? When we allow selfish desires to displace the love of God, a kind of wild fruit will begin to grow. Lustful thoughts taint true purity, and resistance to correction spoils a humble, childlike spirit. Pride sours relationships, and envy will discolor our joy. When asked to contribute or take part in a church activity, how it will make me appear becomes an overriding concern. The sweetness of a meek and quiet spirit withers into seeking fulfillment in the things of this world, and sadness and frustration come to be the flavor of life.

The following song echoes the cry of a Christian who has lost closeness with Christ and is yearning for the sweetness of the true Vine. May his sweetness fill our lives with abundant fruit.

Where is the joy of Thy salvation? Where is the peace for which I yearn?

Where is the wonder of His glory? Return, O joy of mine, return.

Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me; O cast thou not my soul away;

I cannot bear to be without Thee, Have mercy, O my God, I pray.

Blot out, O Father, my transgression, Create a heart both clean and new;

And tho’ it pain me, purge with hyssop My inward parts, and make me

true.

The broken Spirit Thou acceptest, The contrite heart wilt not despise;

Restore the joy of Thy salvation, Thy favor only will I prize.

Hide not Thy face, I pray uphold me, I cannot walk the way alone;

O God, thou God of my salvation, Make me once again Thine own.1

Illustration

The first green shoots emerging from the buds of a grapevine in springtime attest to the life infused within them. How quickly they produce leaves and little clusters of baby grapes! As summer comes, the grapes swell into huge clusters of delicious sweetness. In a certain town, a vine was growing on the far side of the neighbor’s house. With branches as thick as a man’s arm, it grew over the owner’s house, above the driveway, across the fence, and spread over a very large arbor by the next house. This grapevine provided much shade in the hot summertime and a great quantity of delicious fruit for many people.

Questions

1. When too much seed is sown in one area, the plants compete for water and sunlight, which produces little yield. Does this ever apply to the Christian church?
2. What causes strife among fellow Christians?
3. Is it possible to have a meek and quiet spirit and yet be a vigorous plant, highly motivated in service?
4. 1 Margaret Penner Toews, “Where Is the Joy of Thy Salvation,” Banners of Joy Vol. 1. Used by permission.

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).