1637. An Empty Vine

An Empty Vine

"Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself" (Hos_10:1).

The Book of Hosea presents many graphic pictures of Israel's fruitlessness, and of God's graciousness.

The story of the vine, as a type of Israel, is found in Hosea as in many of the Prophets.

Let us notice some things Hosea sets forth.

1. Israel bringeth forth fruit unto himself (see Hos_10:1).

When the Lord looked for fruit, He found the vine was empty. Israel bore fruit, but fruit unto himself: he bore no fruit for God.

God had loved Israel; He had taught Ephraim how to go. He had drawn her with the cords of a man, with bands of love, but when He found no fruit in Israel, He had to cut her off.

We can even now hear His grief, as He said, "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within Me."

2. Israel Judged of God

When God found no fruit in Israel, He placed her under His judgment.

He said of her: "Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity." He said: "The sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them."

When Ephraim was guilty and given to vanity; when he exalted himself and sinned more and more, then the Lord turned from Israel, as a king in his anger, and He took him away in His wrath.

He said of Israel: "Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up."

3. Israel's Final Fruitfulness

"Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found" (Hos_14:8).

We have before us a vision of great and glorious fruitfulness, which shall be Israel's in the days to come.

We began with the story of Israel, an empty vine–we conclude with the story of Israel bearing fruit.

We began with the picture of Israel bearing fruit to herself, we close with a picture, "From Me is thy fruit found."

The concluding verses of Hosea describe Israel under various symbolisms.

1. (1) He shall grow as the lily.

2. (2) He shall cast forth his roots like Lebanon.

3. (3) His beauty shall be as the Olive tree.

4. (4) They that dwell under his shadow shall revive as corn.

5. (5) They shall grow as the vine; the renown thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

6. (6) Ephraim shall say, I am like a green fir tree.

In all of these symbols we have the picture of a restored and a fruitful people.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR