April 8, 2011

Isaiah 5
Who is the Well-Beloved? In all three synoptic Gospels the Father twice calls the Son His, ‘Beloved.’ He does so once at His baptism and once at His transfiguration. Here in Isaiah it states that His Well-Beloved had a vineyard. Who is the vineyard in Isaiah? It is the nation of Israel. The vineyard was planted and well cared for. It should have produced an abundance of sweet grapes. Rather, it produced wild grapes. He loves His people too much to allow them to produce inedible fruit. He promises destruction of the nation if they continue on the same path.
But what specifically is He upset about? He discusses that fruit in verses 8-23. It is a six-fold woe that includes: 1) The rich taking advantage of the poor. 2) Drunkenness. 3) Parading their idolatry before God. 4) Reversing moral standards. 5) Self-wisdom. 6) Intoxicating themselves so that can no longer observe justice.
So what is the Lord going to do about it? In 24-32, He pronounces a firey-judgment.
So who is this Well-Beloved? He is the One is intimately loved by the Father. He is the One provides all our needs. He is the One who has ordained that we should bring forth fruit that remains. He is the One also will bring a fiery-judgment upon His own people, in order that they might bear that fruit. For this our souls love Him! He is my King! O Lord, let me bear fruit for Your pleasure. You take no delight in burning Your servants. Let me bear the fruit that You delight in! You alone are worthy of honor. Let Your honor be multiplied in me because it is for this that I am created. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john