084. ISA 5:2. GOD’S DISAPPOINTMENT FROM HIS VINEYARD

Isa_5:2. God’s Disappointment From His Vineyard

"And it brought forth wild grapes."’97Isa_5:2.

In the former skeleton we noticed God’s expectation from his vineyard: and here is expressed the final result; when it should have yielded "grapes," proper and good fruit, it brought forth "wild grapes." The word used for wild grapes does not signify grapes merely of an inferior quality, but poisonous fruit, such as is described, Deu_32:32-33 : "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: their wine is the poison, of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps."

Observe,

I. His Disappointment.

"He looked for grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes."

Strictly speaking, God cannot be disappointed; as he knows all things from the beginning to the end. Past, present, and future are the same to his immutable mind.

Observe 1. The grounds of his disappointment.

(1) Powers perverted. Good vine brought forth poisonous fruit. Understanding in darkness’97judgment corrupted’97conscience defiled’97affections alienated and placed on idols’97time murdered’97talents prostituted, &c.

(2) Goodness abused. Planted in a fruitful soil, yet bad fruit: not pagan soil, nor papal ground, but the favored land of Britain. Exalted to heaven with blessings and mercies.

(3) Divine privileges unimproved. Stones gathered out, guarded, &c.; constant care bestowed; still, the fruit bitter and worthless. How mindful God has been of us how he has invited, exhorted, and expostulated with us, &c.

2. The disappointment itself.

"He looked for grapes," and behold, it yielded poisonous fruit.

(1) He looked for lip-fruit; prayer praise, holy conversation, &c.; and it yielded foolish talking, levity, falsehood, profanity, in short, the mouth became as a fountain of deadly waters.

(2) He looked for heart-fruit: love, trust, holiness, &c.; and they were as "whited sepulchres," "cages of unclean birds," full of rottenness and pollution.

(3) He looked for life-fruit; works of justice, goodness, mercy, truth, &c.; but he found malignity, injustice, pride, sensuality, oppression, &c.

Wild grapes, bitter to the taste, even as gall, and as the poison of asps in the stomach.

Mark,

II. The Effects of his Disappointment.

1. Protection withdrawn.

"Hedge taken away." Conscience allowed to slumber’97holy restraints removed’97spirit of madness and infatuation allowed to remain unmolested’97given up to their delusions.

2. Privileges removed.

"Not pruned nor digged." "Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone." Candlestick taken out of its place. Left a prey to their destroyers.

3. Judgments threatened.

"Trodden down; no rain," &c. Infliction of the divine displeasure; history of the Jews full of illustrative instances How forcibly it applies, also, to many nations, cities, churches, families, individuals! Every unfruitful branch is cut off and cast into the fire.

Observe the equity, propriety, and necessity of this. God can do no more for his vineyard than what he hath done; and they perish, despite of all the love and mercy of God towards them.

Application

(1) Let the servants of God consider their privileges and mercies; and render to God according as they have received from him. (2) Let the unfruitful consider their state and danger. And, likewise, (3) Let backsliders return to the Lord, that the divine displeasure may be averted.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS