The Vision

We all come to a place in our lives when we realize we can’t save ourselves. We are forced to ask who will save us and how? Isaiah proclaims The Holy One of Israel’s justice against sin and rebellion, and The Holy One of Israel’s hope as the saving Messiah. Isaiah’s message is simple. Yahweh, The Holy One of Israel, is Judge and Savior; of His people (1-12), of the nations (13-27), of Jerusalem (28-39), while in exile, (40-48), as the suffering Messiah (49-55), and as LORD forever and ever (56-66).

Starter

Have you ever built or planted something only to have it ruined, maybe even by the one it was built or planted to bless? What was your response?…their response?

Pray

Lord we thank you that you are The Holy One of Israel. You are Holy perfect in all you do and worthy of our worship and obedience. We like Israel are the ones who wrestle with you, fight to see you, know that you always win, and understand you bless those you chose to bless. Thank you for for loving us, for forgiving us, and for restoring us. Help us to understand the Song of The Vineyard. Amen

Study Questions

READ: Isaiah 5:1-7

  1. Isaiah 5:1-7 is a poetic lament called Song of the Vineyard. Do you remember the process of lament, “TEARS”?
    1. God’s uses a vineyard as the subject of His lament. What does the vineyard represent?
    2. Discuss why He might have chosen a sad song about a vineyard as His illustration about His people and His land?
  2. The purpose of a vineyard is to produce fruit that bears more fruit that can bear fruit for generations.
    1. What kind of lasting fruit was/is God looking for from His vineyard?
    2. What kind of fruit was His vineyard producing? Why?

READ: Matthew 21:33-46

  1. Jesus tells a parable to God’s covenant people Israel about a vineyard. What does this parable, like the Song of the Vineyard, explain about God and His people?

READ: Isaiah 5:8-24

  1. In 5:8-24, there are 6 woe statements (8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22) on God’s people.
    1. What behaviors and character issues is God condemning in these woes?
  2. Paul Apple’s summary of the 6 woes is that God’s people PERVERTED: Possessions, Pleasures, Reverence, Values, Wisdom, & Justice
    1. How did these woes bring the destruction of the vineyard?
    2. How are these the same woes we still see destroying God’s vineyard today?
  3. Of the 6 woes, which one tends to hit home in your personal life? explain

READ: Isaiah 5:25-30

  1. What is going to happen to God’s people as a result of not listening to God and not allowing Him to bear His fruit?
    1. This prophesy was proven true with the assault of the Assyrians and the final Babylon destruction of Jerusalem. How will this prophesy be completely fulfilled one day for God’s people?

God, as He almost always does, declares clearly how he is going to judge his rebellious people. Those declarations in Scripture can seem very hopeless.