The Lord's Vineyard / May 2006

The Lord has used many things here on earth to explain heavenly things. The sowing of seed and the resulting harvest is a powerful picture of our faith. The olive tree and its fruit is another. However, there is one picture in the natural world that stands out to represent Israel and the kingdom of God. It is a vineyard, and the growing of grapes to make wine. Yeshua the Messiah taught it this way.

"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine–growers, and went on a journey. And when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine–growers to receive his produce. And the vine–growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vine–growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance.’ And they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine–growers?" They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine–growers, who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons."

Matthew 21:33-41

The vineyard was planted by the Master (all things were created by God). The vine-growers did not own the vineyard, but they were permitted to enjoy the vineyard for a return due to the Master (the children of Israel living in the promised land). The Master sent slaves and servants (prophets) to receive His due (tithes and first fruits). But instead, the prophets were killed and cut off. Finally, the Master sent His own son (the Son of God). He too was mistreated and slaughtered. The Lord is now searching for those who will become the Remnant of Israel, those who love the Master and serve Him from the heart. They will inherit the kingdom, not the former vine-growers who had withheld that which belonged to the Lord.

This parable and its explanation is virtually identical to the teaching of the prophet Isaiah.

Let me sing now for my well–beloved a song of my beloved concerning His vineyard. My well–beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill. And He dug it all around, removed its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. And He built a tower in the middle of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; then He expected it to produce good grapes, but it produced only worthless ones. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between Me and My vineyard. What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground. And I will lay it waste; it will not be pruned or hoed, but briars and thorns will come up. I will also charge the clouds to rain no rain on it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

Isaiah 5:1-7

In a nutshell, this describes the history of Israel (their rejection of the Lord). The reason the parable is so profound is because of the Lord’s choice of the natural things – the vineyard. Most do not realize, but in Yeshua’s day the symbol of Israel was not an olive tree or a fig tree, it was a vineyard that produces a grapevine full of fruit.

Consider the spies who first explored the promised land. They brought back the sample fruit called Eschol, meaning "cluster." They brought back a large "cluster" of grapes. When the temple in Jerusalem was built, a grapevine with these "clusters" was made of gold and it hung above the door to the temple sanctuary. According to tradition, it was a gift from the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon to symbolize the nation of Israel. Even today, the Ministry of Tourism in Israel uses the symbol of the spies carrying the cluster (eschol) to symbolize a visit to Israel.

This powerful symbol of Israel was also used by the Messiah to explain His relationship to us.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:1,5

The Messiah used the setting of a wedding and wine to give the first sign that He was the Messiah. Yeshua turned the water into wine (the product of the true vine). He taught us the lesson about old and new wineskins. He also taught us that God’s final judgment was a winepress representing the wrath of God. Finally, on the cross, Yeshua tasted the sour wine to complete the work of redemption.

They gave Him wine to drink mingled with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

Matthew 27:34

When Yeshua therefore had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

There is much more to this picture of the vine and vineyard. Not only is it the original symbol of Israel and the kingdom, it offers even more teaching for us and our daily lives.

As a young boy, my family was not able to always purchase abundant healthy food. We couldn’t afford One-a-day Vitamins or high protein foods. Foods like beef steak were out of the question. I ate a lot of beans and potatoes. We tried to eat fresh vegetables but usually ate canned vegetables. When a garden could be grown, we ate tomato sandwiches and corn on the cob. But there was one thing that my mother provided for us that most kids did not have at all. It was called "Mogen David" wine. Once a week, my mother would pour out a one-ounce glass for each of us to consume. My younger siblings treated it like cod liver oil or some other kind of nasty medicine, but I liked it. In fact, I looked forward to it. Don’t misunderstand me; it wasn’t the alcoholic content. It was the fact that it was good for me and it kept me healthy. Here is an interesting fact about my family. My sister never missed a day of school; she had perfect attendance all four years of high school. When we did get the common cold, it was not severe. As a matter of fact, I never saw a doctor until I joined the Navy. For a family growing up poor, we did okay.

Now I am not suggesting that you give one ounce of Mogen David to your kids each week, but it is a fact in our day that a small amount of wine is very beneficial to your health.

My mother did this despite everyone in our family and community who were "tee-totalers" and leftovers from the "Temperance Union." Alcohol was not permitted in any form under any conditions except in cough syrup and grandma’s elixir. They were still remembering the recent law of prohibition that had been repealed. Our consumption of that wine was a constant "religious" topic about Yeshua turning water into wine. The conservative hardliners said it was not fermented nor alcoholic. They said that it didn’t have enough time to become "wine." It was more like grape "Kool Aid" and tasted real sweet. Those who liked beer and liquor argued that it was wine, even though they didn’t drink wine. I found the entire discussion ironic. It struck me as odd that my religious family argued against it even though the Bible addressed it, while my non-religious family argued for it even though they did not believe in the Bible.

The fact is that the Bible does have two emphatic positions on wine and "strong drink." Number One: Wine was a daily offering to the Lord. It was called the Libation offering. It was called Holy. Number Two: Drunkenness is forbidden, especially before the Lord.

On the day of the dedication of the tabernacle and the ordination of Aaron and his sons to be priests, Aaron’s two eldest sons presented themselves before the Lord and offered "strange fire."

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

Leviticus 10:1

The Scripture does not say exactly why Nadab and Abihu did this thing, a thing that was out of order for what had been commanded, but we do know the results. A fire came out from the altar and killed them both before their father Aaron.

And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

Leviticus 10:2

Why did this act result in the most extreme punishment? We don’t have enough information to fully explain this but we do have the following instruction associated with what happened.

The Lord then spoke to Aaron, saying, "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die— it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them through Moses."

Leviticus 10:8-11

The logical conclusion is that Nadab and Abihu entered the tabernacle intoxicated and inappropriately did something out of order. It cost them.

Most brethren in the Messianic Movement, if they have been a part of Passover or other festivals, are already acquainted with the availability and use of wine. Many new brethren to the movement, particularly those who come from my past Baptist background or something similar, are confronted with this issue. Our brother Brad Scott of Wild Branch Ministries shares a story that addresses that conflict for many brethren. Brad met with some Baptist brethren who questioned the testimony of Messianic brethren consuming wine and alcoholic beverages after a local meeting. "Can you confirm or deny the report that those Messianics were consuming alcoholic beverages?" Brad answered, "Yes brother, I can confirm that they did and do consume those beverages." While the Baptist shook his head, Brad continued. "When you Baptists get together after a meeting, you drink coffee and soft drinks. You sit around and talk about sports. Messianics get together and drink alcoholic beverages and talk about the Lord."

It is one thing to consume wine and alcoholic beverages as the world does (with all of its resulting problems). It is another for the consumption to be centered around blessing the Lord and the fellowship of believing brethren. I have begun to share with others whenever I see a wine bottle cork, "Oh, there is another one of those messianic droppings."

The truth is that God endorses and uses the product of the grape (wine) as a part of the proper worship of Himself and a well known element of joy. Specific instruction is given to a traveler on how to carry his money to a pilgrimage feast of the Lord and to make the necessary choices to feast before the Lord.

And you may spend the money for whatever your heart desires, for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.

Deuteronomy 14:26

The Apostle Paul knew of the health benefits of wine and instructed Timothy accordingly.

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

I Timothy 5:23

And on the other hand, the Scripture takes issue with the way the world misuses wine.

Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink; who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Isaiah 5:11

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

Proverbs 23:20

There are other passages that appear to be for and against the drinking of wine. The real key to consuming wine correctly is exercising good personal judgment. The rabbis offer this counsel to judge when "enough is enough" while consuming wine. If you suddenly are sure whether you are in heaven or you are still here on the earth, then you have had ENOUGH!

In the Jewish community, it is said that you must have a minimum of two skills to have a successful growing community. The first is a leader, a teacher, or a rabbi. He leads the community in righteousness; he teaches the Torah, and he serves as a judge and counselor. However, his skill alone is not adequate to establish and maintain a community. It is said that he must be joined by a winemaker. How else is the leader to raise a cup and bless the name of the Lord on behalf of the community? How else is every man to bless the Lord in his house and follow with a blessing upon his wife and children?

It is an interesting perspective to consider what is essential to the community. I think this is the same perspective when Yeshua emphasized His role as the vine and we as the branches. But, wine is not the only product of the vineyard. Grapes also produce raisins, grape juice, jams and jellies besides table grapes.

Let’s examine God’s use of a vineyard, the vine, and the resulting fruit a bit further.

The Lord’s vineyard has several elements that make it successful. They include the good ground with the stones removed. Then there is a watchtower. He mentioned a wine vat that is dug out. And finally, he described a hedge or wall surrounding the entire vineyard.

The Good Ground and the Vine

Fertile ground, water, and the grapevine plant must come together to have a healthy plant to produce fruit – grapes. A single plant can produce up to twenty pounds of fruit and if maintained will produce for forty years. A first year planting must focus on growth of the plant – not fruit. In fact, vineyard owners say that the first real harvest should not come until the fourth year. The first three years are for the purpose of establishing the vineyard.

In the Jewish community, the Concord grape is the preferred choice of cultivar for making Sabbath wine. It is relatively easy to grow and makes for a deep red color for the wine. There are of course many types of vines, each with its own characteristics for growing success and the fruit. But, here is an interesting fact. Grapes are not the best tasting nor the biggest grown out of a perfect vineyard. The fact is that rocky soil contributes to taste in the grape and the larger clusters are produced in sometimes difficult seasons. Ice wines (dessert wines) are only produced in frigid growing climates at the time of harvest.

There are a couple of specific facts about successfully growing grapes. The vine must be given the time to mature before producing a harvest. The type and variety of the vine must be understood. Some vines do best "drooping" when bearing fruit, whereas others must grow up and be supported. Pruning the vine is essential. Small sucker shoots rob the vine of nourishment and diminish the fruit. Failing to prune results in tangled vines that choke out its own fruit from sunlight and access. Pruning includes "topping" the vine. Topping is cutting off the high branches and allowing sunlight to feed into the plant. Grapes bear fruit on one year old wood. Old vines do not produce fruit; they make more vines. Finally, beautiful looking fruit is not always ready for harvest. Ripening fruit needs time with the sun to produce the sweetness of the fruit and balance it with the acid.

If all of these factors are followed, a vineyard will begin to produce excellent grapes.

The Watchtower

When most people hear that a watchtower was built in the vineyard, they think of someone guarding the vineyard. That is not the purpose of a watchtower. The stonea that were cleared from the ground were often brought to the center of the vineyard. A tower was erected not for archers or warriors, but for those who worked the vineyard. This watchtower was covered by tent material and served as lodging for the workers. It was a high tabernacle raised up above the vineyard. In particular, the owner’s family stayed there during the harvest and pressing of the grapes. Once the harvest began, it was critical for everyone, the whole family, to gather the grapes and begin the pressing process. In the earlier stages of growth, the watchtower gave relief from the heat of the day. Literally, the watchtower was the temporary home for the vineyard worker. If he had children, they stayed there or they could be searched for and called from the watchtower. A watchtower also gave you an advantage of seeing what was approaching or where your workers were stationed.

The Scripture offers several references for us using this kind of watchtower. Remembering the Lord’s vineyard, the watchtower is an important place for us in the faith. Consider these verses. They are referring to the vineyard watchtower.

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Psalms 27:5-6

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

The watchtower was a major work project that many fields had. It was a common thing to the people and the way a man would develop his field for definite use. It required labor and material. Yeshua used the construction of a simple watchtower in a field as an example of the commitment to discipleship.

For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

Luke 14:28

The Wine Vat

A wine vat is where crushed grapes and the juice are allowed to ferment. The yeast on the skin of the grape really does the work of converting the sugar in the grape to alcohol and carbon dioxide. A vat is actually the storage device for the fermentation process. In most modern vineyards, the wine vat is a large barrel-like container. In ancient times, a wine vat was a hewn cistern. The crushed grapes and juice were poured into the vat, there to ferment. Then the wine was drawn out and put into jars and wine skins for distribution.

Yeshua taught a parable about wineskins.

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.

Luke 5:37

Wine continues to ferment producing carbon dioxide gas. New skins stretch but old skins are already stretched out. New wine in old skins causes the material to burst and lose everything. Yeshua was referring to the process of wine making that must be completely properly.

Before we leave this discussion of a wine vat, maybe we should remember what the Scriptures have to say about the winepress and the preparation of the grapes before going into the vat. The ancients crushed the grapes by trampling them under foot. God describes the Day of the Lord and His Wrath like unto a winepress. Simply put, a winepress gets pretty messy and easily depicts a slaughter with (red) grape juice flying everywhere. The lower part of your garments becomes drenched in the juice. The Messiah is pictured in this manner upon His return to establish His kingdom.

And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 19:11-15

The prophets also use the picture of the grape harvest, the winepress, and the vats as pictures of the Day of the Lord.

Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

Joel 3:13

The Hedge or Wall

The hedge or wall of the vineyard is the barrier that separates the vineyard from the rest of the world. A hedge would be made of several things ranging from a small stone wall to growing thickets with thorns. Whatever it was made of would constrict the flow of people and animals from trampling the vineyard. In the ancient times, herdsmen and shepherds moved freely through the land. Instead, the hedge forced those and their animals to go around the vineyard and leave it undisturbed. Isaiah addressed the purpose of the hedge and its resulting absence.

So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground.

Isaiah 5:5

The letter Samech in the Hebrew alephbet can be compared to the vineyard hedge. The Samech is the picture of something "surrounded." The Hebrew word "seder" which means "order" begins with a samech. A samech hedge surrounds the vineyard and brings order to the operation.

Separation from the world is absolutely essential to anyone desiring to follow the Lord. You must have a spiritual hedge to keep both others out and you from straying too far.

The Vow of the Nazarite

When it comes to special spiritual hedges, one example stands out above all others. It is the Nazarite vow. Nazarites are restricted from a vineyard and consumption of its fruit in any form.

He [the Nazarite] shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

Numbers 6:3

The reason for this separation is not well known. Some have said the Nazarite dedication to the vow precludes any personal pleasure until the task is done. Others say that this is really a prohibition for all possibility of consuming wine or strong drink. Although it is not well understood, but it is clear that the product of the vineyard is definitely excluded from a Nazarite.

Samson was a Nazarite from birth, even prohibited from cutting of his hair. John the Baptist had a similar restriction put upon him with Gabriel’s announcement to his father.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb.

Luke 1:15

Apparently, John was also restricted from eating leavened bread and Yeshua commented to the testimony of John in that regard.

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, "He has a demon!"

Luke 7:33

There is an amazing comparison between Elijah and John the Baptist. It has to do with wine, the product of the vineyard.

Elijah came asking Israel to either choose between Baal or the Lord. Elijah was later translated into heaven and is expected shortly before the coming of the Messianic age. At every Passover, a separate cup of wine is poured to the brim in the hopes that Elijah will join us and be followed by the Messiah.

John the Baptist also came in advance of the Lord, asking us to prepare for Him. He was the "voice in the wilderness declaring to make the path straight. " John, however, was restricted from the cup. A cup is set for Elijah. This may be why Yeshua was offered the last taste of wine while on the cross.

And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down."

Mark 15:36

As we all know, Elijah did not come then nor have we seen him yet to this day. But there is a day coming when he will come and he will drink the cup offered at the Passover. Of course, it will be the Passover that begins the greater Exodus from all of the nations. It will herald the end of the ages and the coming of the Messiah who plans to drink the final cup of the Passover with us – the cup of praise.

We look forward to that Passover with the Messiah in the Kingdom. Truly, the wine of that day will be sweet like the wine served at the wedding.

"Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now."

John 2:10

The Messiah’s return will be more than a better cup of wine. He will rebuild His vineyard. The Prophet Amos describes it like this.

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "When the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; when the mountains will drip sweet wine, and all the hills will be dissolved. Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, they will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit.

Amos 9:13-14

Next Sabbath, when the cup is raised and the blessing is given, "Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth the fruit of the vine," consider where the wine came from. It is from the Lord’s vineyard.

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