November 19: HOPE OR DOOM, SAFETY OR DANGER
He built a tower in its midst… Isaiah 5:2
This part of the vineyard story illustrates the guiding presence of the Lord among His people, a representation of His character to help remold them into a true reflection of His image.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
In Scripture, the LORD’s name, meaning His character, is directly associated with His divine governing principles, exhibited in the Ten Commandments. There is safety in choosing to live in alignment with them, for His law is the law of liberty (James 2:12) and the law of love (Romans 13:10). Love is the essence of God’s character. The enemy of souls has perpetuated a deception throughout the world, among believers and unbelievers alike, that one finds liberty in breaking that law. But, even in an earthly setting, breaking the law of the land always risks loss of liberty (Romans 13:4).
Today, there is a wildly popular movement within mainstream Christianity, antinomianism, that lurks about ‘undercover’ – under the supposed cover of grace. But real grace is the power of God to follow Him in faithfulness. He imparts that grace to any soul that runs to Him.
Subsequent verses in Isaiah 5 reveal the terrible fruit of rejection of the LORD and His law. The two extremes of attempting to separate them are antinomianism (making a claim of knowing God while rejecting all or part of His law) and legalism (pride in keeping the law apart from knowing God). But since you can’t love someone you do not know, legalists have already made void the first commandment.
Jesus spoke the parable of the vineyard to religious leaders present during His earthly ministry (see Matthew 21:33-40). As in Isaiah, the parable draws the listeners into the story and calls upon them to make a judgement. The judgement they render is against themselves (see also 2 Samuel 12:1-11). The Holy Spirit’s desired effect is repentance, but failing to yield to the opportunity for repentance has a dangerous hardening effect upon the heart. Those who were talking with Jesus rendered a correct judgement, but failed to apply it to themselves (see closing verse).
Oh, how the world longs for peace and safety! The United Nations building in New York City bears a wall that quotes part of Isaiah 2:4
THEY SHALL BEAT THEIR SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES. AND THEIR SPEARS INTO PRUNING HOOKS: NATION SHALL NOT LIFT UP SWORD AGAINST NATION, NEITHER SHALL THEY LEARN WAR ANY MORE. ISAIAH
But this has not even remotely happened. Why not? The answer lies in the verse before it: [God] will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths. Hardened hearts have not allowed it.
[Jesus asked] “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” [Jesus replied] “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:40,41,43