Whereas in Isaiah chapters 5 and 17 the Lord wanted to destroy His vineyard, here we see a different picture. He will rescue His vines, tending them gently; He’ll water and guard them continually. We understand that His anger was for purification and the removal of idols: ‘the full fruit of the removal of his sin’ (v.9). The altars to the false gods will be smashed and the Asherah poles that brought God grief will no longer stand.