10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness.
I saw your fathers as the firstfruits
of the fig tree in its first season.
But they went to Baal-peor,
and consecrated themselves to Shame;
so they became as detestable
as the thing they loved.
11 Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird,
with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
12 Even if they raise their children,
I will bereave them of each one.
Yes, woe be to them
when I turn away from them!
13 I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre,
planted in a meadow.
But Ephraim will bring out
his children for slaughter.
14 Give them, O LORD—
what will You give?
Give them wombs that miscarry
and breasts that dry up!

15 All their evil appears at Gilgal,
for there I hated them.
I will drive them from My house
for the wickedness of their deeds.
I will no longer love them;
all their leaders are rebellious.
16 Ephraim is struck down;
their root is withered;
they cannot bear fruit.
Even if they bear children,
I will slay the darlings of their wombs.
17 My God will reject them
because they have not obeyed Him;
and they shall be wanderers
among the nations.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Andy Rowlands

In this passage, Israel is presented as a grapevine, as those who are to bear fruit for God. I find this such a humbling passage, because it’s not for their fruit that they were chosen: wild grapes don't bear good fruit. It’s a striking image that shows us the nature of Israel’s (and our) relationship with God. Just as God found Israel, He is the one who found me and made himself known to me! And not only to me, but also to his church.

And yet, sin is so terrible as to take Israel away from the God who loved them. It is so terrible that the destruction of the people God loves is better than their continued sinning. Their children are being taken away so that they cannot sacrifice them, and they are being driven away from the places that lead them to sin.

That’s confronting for me. I cannot pretend that I do not sin, and the consequences are so serious! When I consider all the evil of my life, I am so thankful that God will not curse me for my detestable sins, nor reject me because of my disobedience. Instead, he will see my Lord, Jesus, who at the cross became accursed for me, bearing the punishment for my sins, so that I do not have to. And so now I rejoice, as one God has chosen and even justified at the cross.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andy is one of our Student Ministers.