RE Verse reading–Isaiah 5:1-13, 18-23 (day one) “The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Judah. . .He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress” (vs 7) It is the Lord’s favorite metaphor for his people. Israel was His vineyard. ( So are we–see John 15) They were (we are) recipients of His care, provision and protection. He poured attention on them. He has given us “everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) Is it unfair for Him to expect some return on investment? Shouldn’t He expect us to bear fruit? Vs. 7 identifies the fruit as holiness, expressed, in part, in a social conscience, a concern for the poor, a pursuit of justice for them. Is God disappointed if churches (evangelical, Bible believing) don’t produce this kind of passionate pursuit? Yes! Is He rightly disturbed if we claim the gospel but resist involvement? Yes! It is ungrateful and unsafe to be unfruitful.
