You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. Why then have You broken down its walls so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see. Have regard for this vine, the stock that Your right hand planted, and for the son whom You made strong for Yourself. (Verses 8-15)
"I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing." Jesus, John 15
Look at the infant safe in her mother's arms. Crying softly, she signals the mother when she is hungry, wet or uncomfortable. The baby is helpless without her mom. Her every need must be understood and met by another the baby can only hope loves her and has her best interest at heart. Much time doesn't pass before the child can walk and talk, no need for diapers, the whole world to be tackled and explored. Things on the coffee table the child could only look at before are now available for her to touch and fondle. Oh, but she must learn there are some things forbidden. The lesson is hard. Always Mother's hand is there, ready to catch her when she falls. Always Mother's words to soothe or discipline. Because the years go by swiftly, the girl becomes a woman all too soon. The money her mother saved for college through the years of denying herself so her daughter could be successful are then invested with great joy in higher education. Four years later, Mother's eyes brim with tears to see her child, diploma in hand, walk across the stage and out into the world. But the world is a carnival of sideshows and temptations. Forget what Mother taught because there is too much to experience apart from her. Because the child is well cared for and beautiful, she is invited into pleasures she hadn't dreamed of. Like the little coffee table on which there were things she wasn't allowed to touch, life had its forbidden fruit. But the young woman didn't ask her mom about things. Didn't call her any more. Mom always made her feel guilty, anyway. So, the one who gave her life waited and prayed for the child who'd planted herself in a far distant field.
And that is the story of Israel. God's precious children. The little vine planted in a field it didn't buy. By a Vinedresser Who loved the little plant and nurtured it. Patted the soil around it with His hands. The vine alone had no power to grow. Without the Vinedresser, it was helpless. Ah, but it flourished. Covered the entire land from mountains to the sea. Then thought it got there all by itself. It was so beautiful and healthy, so rich and prosperous. It became a self-sustaining weed of a thing. Proud of itself in a manner that forgot the Vinedresser altogether. Cried out to the other plants it passed by on its way to conquering fields and valleys how great it was and how lovely. Hubris was the downfall of the vine. Without the sun shining on it, the plant became withered. Then the sun became relentless and dried it out. The Vinedresser trying to get its attention. But the vine was too far gone. So its Tender cut its branches back. The pain was shocking. Why would the Vinedresser do such a thing?
Because He had regard for the vine He'd planted. That's why. The Vineyard Owner wanted a vine that wouldn't forget its roots. He still loved the original planting so He grafted a new vine in. But it cost the owner His life to bring the new plant from far away. To prune and cut it in such a way it fit into the soil along with the old one. Watered with His tears, warmed by His compassion, the new vine has a different sap flowing through its veins. A power the old vine never dreamed possible. And the Vinedresser waits still for the old vine, which He loves, to find its rootedness in the new. To joy in sap rushing through to eternal life. For without the old vine, there would be no new. But without the new, there is no life.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand firm because of your faith. So do not become proud, but fear. Romans 11
"I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing." Jesus, John 15
Look at the infant safe in her mother's arms. Crying softly, she signals the mother when she is hungry, wet or uncomfortable. The baby is helpless without her mom. Her every need must be understood and met by another the baby can only hope loves her and has her best interest at heart. Much time doesn't pass before the child can walk and talk, no need for diapers, the whole world to be tackled and explored. Things on the coffee table the child could only look at before are now available for her to touch and fondle. Oh, but she must learn there are some things forbidden. The lesson is hard. Always Mother's hand is there, ready to catch her when she falls. Always Mother's words to soothe or discipline. Because the years go by swiftly, the girl becomes a woman all too soon. The money her mother saved for college through the years of denying herself so her daughter could be successful are then invested with great joy in higher education. Four years later, Mother's eyes brim with tears to see her child, diploma in hand, walk across the stage and out into the world. But the world is a carnival of sideshows and temptations. Forget what Mother taught because there is too much to experience apart from her. Because the child is well cared for and beautiful, she is invited into pleasures she hadn't dreamed of. Like the little coffee table on which there were things she wasn't allowed to touch, life had its forbidden fruit. But the young woman didn't ask her mom about things. Didn't call her any more. Mom always made her feel guilty, anyway. So, the one who gave her life waited and prayed for the child who'd planted herself in a far distant field.
And that is the story of Israel. God's precious children. The little vine planted in a field it didn't buy. By a Vinedresser Who loved the little plant and nurtured it. Patted the soil around it with His hands. The vine alone had no power to grow. Without the Vinedresser, it was helpless. Ah, but it flourished. Covered the entire land from mountains to the sea. Then thought it got there all by itself. It was so beautiful and healthy, so rich and prosperous. It became a self-sustaining weed of a thing. Proud of itself in a manner that forgot the Vinedresser altogether. Cried out to the other plants it passed by on its way to conquering fields and valleys how great it was and how lovely. Hubris was the downfall of the vine. Without the sun shining on it, the plant became withered. Then the sun became relentless and dried it out. The Vinedresser trying to get its attention. But the vine was too far gone. So its Tender cut its branches back. The pain was shocking. Why would the Vinedresser do such a thing?
Because He had regard for the vine He'd planted. That's why. The Vineyard Owner wanted a vine that wouldn't forget its roots. He still loved the original planting so He grafted a new vine in. But it cost the owner His life to bring the new plant from far away. To prune and cut it in such a way it fit into the soil along with the old one. Watered with His tears, warmed by His compassion, the new vine has a different sap flowing through its veins. A power the old vine never dreamed possible. And the Vinedresser waits still for the old vine, which He loves, to find its rootedness in the new. To joy in sap rushing through to eternal life. For without the old vine, there would be no new. But without the new, there is no life.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand firm because of your faith. So do not become proud, but fear. Romans 11
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