Parable: The Song of the Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1–7

“My well-beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill…” — Isaiah 5:1Source:https://bible.art/p/AJqUzSNi8DPUvQkeyN66/isaiah-5:1-7-now-let-me-sing-to-my

O be careful little hands what you do, be careful little hands what you do!

• For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful, little hands what you do!

• It's the song of the Vineyard in my Mom's version.

• Her expectation was like the Father's, that I would bring forth fruit!

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Bearing the fruits of righteousness is God's expectation of His people. Read on!

Introduction

In our previous study, Nathan’s parable of the lamb confronted King David’*s (1085-1015 BC) hidden sin and brought him to repentance. This week, we move forward to another prophet and another parable—Isaiah’s “Song of the Vineyard.” Nathan’s story exposed one man’s guilt; Isaiah’s song laments the unfaithfulness of an entire nation. Both reveal the heart of God: a holy love that longs for righteousness but grieves over rebellion.

An asterisk*after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES.

The Parable

Isaiah* (700s BC) begins, “I will sing for my beloved a song about His vineyard.” It sounds like a love song, but quickly turns to sorrow. The “beloved” is the Lord, and the vineyard is His people Israel.

“I will sing for my beloved a song about His vineyard.” — Isaiah 5:1 “Bible Art / Scripture Images” —

“My well-beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill.

He dug it, cleared it of stones, planted it with the choicest vine,

built a watchtower in it, and hewed out a winepress.

He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.” (Isa 5:1-2)

Every detail shows God’s careful care: the planting, the protecting, the preparing for fruit. Yet despite all His goodness, the vineyard produced only sour, worthless fruit.

Then comes the Lord’s question:

“What more could have been done for my vineyard that I have not done in it?” (v. 4)

It is the voice of a heartbroken God. Judgment follows: the hedge will be torn down, the vineyard trampled, and the rain withheld.

The Meaning of the Vineyard

Isaiah interprets the parable plainly:

“For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel,

and the men of Judah His pleasant plant.

He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed;

for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.” (v. 7)

The Lord’s vineyard, tended with hope but not producing the fruit of righteousness. Source: “Bible Art / Scripture Images.”

Israel’s fruit was injustice, greed, and violence. God had planted His people to bear the sweet grapes of mercy and holiness, but they produced the wild fruit of sin. The vineyard that should have filled the world with joy became barren.

The Application

God still seeks fruit from His people today. Jesus* (4BC-30AD) said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8). We are His vineyard now—planted in grace, watered by His Word, guarded by His Spirit. He looks for the fruit of love, peace, humility, and obedience.

“What more could have been done for my vineyard?” — Isaiah 5:4 Source: a Scripture-Images / Bible Art creation

Yet how often we resemble ancient Israel! The Lord lavishes care upon us, but our lives yield anxiety, pride, or neglect. When our hearts grow cold, God’s question echoes again: What more could I have done for you?

The Hope of Restoration

Though the song ends in judgment, Isaiah’s prophecy doesn’t stop there. Later chapters promise a Redeemer who will make the desert blossom and restore the vineyard in righteousness. The Lord never stops tending His garden. Even when He prunes or disciplines, it is to make us fruitful again.

Conclusion

Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard reminds us that God expects fruit from His people. He has done everything necessary for us to thrive in His love. Let us not yield the wild grapes of worldliness, but the sweet fruit of a life surrendered to Christ.

Next week, we’ll hear Jesus pick up this same theme in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants—showing how God sent His own Son to seek fruit from His vineyard, and how the response of men revealed their hearts.

Prayer

Lord of the vineyard, You have planted us by grace and tended us with patience. Forgive the wild fruit of our lives, and by Your Spirit help us to bear the fruit that pleases You—love, joy, peace, and righteousness in Christ. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

What “fruit” is God cultivating in your life right now, and what hinders it from growing?

How does this parable help you understand both God’s justice and His mercy toward His people?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

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Go work in the vine­yard, ’tis Je­sus com­mands,

Then why are we id­le and fold­ing our hands?

He speaks to the child­ren and we must ob­ey,

Go work in the vine­yard, go la­bor to­day.

Refrain

Sow in the morn­ing the seed of the Word,

Sow in the morn­ing and trust in the Lord,

He of our la­bor a re­cord will keep;

Life ev­er­last­ing and joy we shall reap.

Go forth in the vine­yard, how ear­nest the call,

There’s work for the child­ren, there’s plen­ty for all:

Too pre­cious the mo­ments to squan­der away,

Go work in the vine­yard, go la­bor to­day.

Refrain

Go work in the vine­yard, how glad we should be

That Je­sus is say­ing to you and to me,

The har­vest is com­ing, arise! and away,

Go work in the vine­yard, go la­bor to­day.

Refrain

Go forth at His bid­ding our plac­es to fill,

Go forth at His bid­ding and work with a will;

Grieve not the dear Sav­ior by long­er de­lay,

Go work in the vine­yard, go la­bor to­day.

Refrain

Fanny Crosby, 1881