WILD GRAPES

"What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" (Isa 5:4)

One of the great tragedies of the human race is the nation of Israel. Though created and loved by God, it provides an excellent example of the poverty of the natural man, or people without a new heart and spirit. In his fallen state, man is utterly hopeless. Even when every conceivable advantage is given to him by God Himself, no good comes from him. For some, this is too hard to receive. Yet, it is the clear declaration of Scripture.

Israel is a case in point. Its beginnings were noble, and its blessing unexcelled. It is not possible for a people to have more advantages than they. God said of them, "He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes" (Isa 5:2). The way was cleared for Israel, giving her every possible advantage. Hindrances were removed. The best vine, or most noble human stock, was planted – even father Abraham. Provision was made for God to gain glory through her, and outlets for Divine glory were created in her. God Himself "expected" good to come from her – good that would delight His heart. But it did not happen. He received "wild grapes."

The Lord reasoned with Israel. "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?" They were given the best progenitor among men – Abraham, "the friend of God" James 2:23). They were given their own land, with the nations being driven out before them. They had the best Law, the presence of the Lord, and all of the prophets. They had the exclusive privilege of serving the Lord and possessing all of the promises. It is not possible to have more advantages than that.

Yet, after all of this, the harvest they yielded was nothing more than "wild grapes." They actually produced no more for God’s glory than the heathen who had no advantages at all. What came from them was not different from what would come from a people with no Divine benefits or promises at all. "WILD GRAPES!" What a description!

If anyone imagines men are inherently good, they need to hear what God said of this Divinely-cultured nation. They were the BEST among the nations – the most favored among the nations. Yet, they yielded "wild grapes." They had exclusive rights to "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises." The "fathers" whom God honored belong to them, and even the Lord Jesus came from them (Rom 9:4-5). Yet, they brought forth "wild grapes."

The human race does not need mere information – not even commandments, or directions – or even benefits. None of that will change them, and that is what needs to occur – a CHANGE. New hearts and new spirits – a new nature–that is the issue. Settle it in your heart, no person, regardless of the benefits and advantages given to him, will produce anything but "wild grapes" until they become "a new creation in Christ Jesus." There is no need to philosophize about this, the Lord has given us the supreme proof in Israel, His people according to the flesh. No pleasing harvest can be produced by the natural man! He can only bring forth "wild grapes."
– Given O. Blakely