Isaiah - the Vision - Part Three:

                 “The Ultimate Purpose for Israel”
                                   Isaiah 27:2-13

Three facts about Israel’s Ultimate Purpose:

1.         Israel is the Lord’s Vineyard People - vs. 2-6

• This section stands over Isaiah 5:1-7

      There are five contrast in this section:

       1) Good fruit instead of bad fruit: Isaiah 5:4

       2)  Lack of water to continual watering

       3)  Abandonment to well guarded. 

•  It is not some lesser being, some hireling, but the Lord himself who watches over his own: John 10:11-13
• Instead of conflict God gives an invitation to the opponents of the vineyard; thus, indicating that vineyard membership is open to all: John 3:16
• This is the fulfillment of the promise made to   Abraham: Gen 12:2-3 
• In the light of NT teaching, Israel here must include all the children of Abraham, Jew and Gentile alike, those who walk by faith: Rom 11: 25-27

2.       The Lord’s Dealings with Israel - vs. 7-11

            Three things are said about the Judgment:

           1)   Israel’s Judgment has been less harsh than their enemies.

• The Assyrian casualties: Isaiah 36:36
• There is always divine restraint: Jer. 5:18

           2)   Israel’s Judgment is carefully controlled.

• Like the searing wind roaring out of the east, here fate would come upon her and sweep her away: Jer 18:17

          3)   Israel will have to atone for her guilt in the coming judgment.

• Israel’s punishment was for the purpose of discipline and purification: Heb 12:11
• The pagan altars represented disobedience to the very first command. Ex. 20:3
• The fortified city may be Jerusalem, but more likely its representative of the many fortified cities in Judah: Isaiah 1:7
• They could not see the wisdom of entrusting themselves to the only one who could save them; there was a much better choice: Is 1:18

3. The Lord’s Harvest of Israel

              Two images are used to express the final Destiny of God’s people.

              1)  Agricultural: Harvest

• The verb to thresh was also used of beating an olive tree, which then the fruit was picked up off the ground: Isaiah  24:13
• The picture of God gathering each of the scattered ones individually is a very tender one: Is 49:14-16

           2)  Religious: Call to Worship

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