Psalm 80:9

Psalm 80:9

A suitable plot for a vine

Some people just see the Bible as a collection of disjointed, unconnected writings by a motley crew of disparate authors. Those of us privileged to spend a lifetime in study have discovered a seamless, network of interrelated scripts, penned over many centuries, but so consistently interdependent that they could only have one, over-all author! Listen to what the great prophet says about vineyards in Isaiah 5:1-2. Don’t tell me the Bible is a collection of unconnected writings! 

I will sing for the one I love
    a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard
    on a fertile hillside.
He dug it up and cleared it of stones
    and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it
    and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,
    but it yielded only bad fruit.

 

It's worth reading the whole of Isaiah 5:1-8 to see how it runs parallel to this Psalm. How hard the Lord worked to provide a suitable plot for His vine. And, indeed, for a while, the plant spread its roots across the land, it became prosperous and fruitful, and all was well. 

It’s interesting to note, is it not, that the same scenario has so often unfolded with church movements such as revivals? It has happened too with local churches and also in the spiritual lives of families and individuals. God pours down His blessing, the various vines take root and start to spread, but then the enemy steps in and disobedience and unbelief eat away at the plant. 

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