The Taste of Wild Grapes

Introduction:

     Read the parable of the wild grapes.  Isaiah 5:1-7 “Beloved” – Jehovah  “Vineyard” – God’s people  The vines were planted in rich soil with plenty of sunlight.  Psalms 80:8-9  Considering all He had done for Israel, God expected edible grapes (justice and righteousness).  Instead, wild grapes (stink fruit) grew.  As a result, six woes are pronounced upon the people.

Text:  Isaiah 5:1-24       

Body:

 I.  Materialistic (Verses 8-10)

• Greed was causing people to grab as much land as they could.  This violated God’s property laws.  Leviticus 25:23-28  Judgment would be that ten acres of vineyards would only yield about six gallons; and only about one-half bushel of grain would be harvested from six bushels of seed!  

• Today our country is rampant with greed and materialism.  Many are only concerned about earthly riches here and now.            Note:  Proverbs 11:4, Matthew 6:19-21   

II.  Lovers of Pleasure (Verses 11-17)

• They acted as if life was one big party.  Alcohol was the main vehicle that brought them to the party.  Proverbs 23:29-32

• They lived to fulfill lusts of the flesh.  I John 2:15-17

• They needed to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 13:13-14

III. Defy God (Verses 18-19)

• They were deceived in their iniquity.  They didn’t see themselves as doing wrong.  They didn’t believe that God would do anything to them.

• See:  Proverbs 5:22  “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin.”

 IV.  Call Evil Good (Verse 20)

• This sounds like America!  There are no moral standards.

• Values are backward.  Pro-life is condemned, but pro-choice is applauded.

• Adultery is called an affair.  Sin is just a weakness.

• People decide for themselves what is right and wrong.           Judges 21:25

• Christians are called judgmental and unloving because they condemn homosexuality.

 V.  Proud (Verse 21)

• Egotistical Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.”

• Arrogant Proverbs 29:23  “A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”    Matthew 23:12  “And whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Romans 1:22  “Professing to be wise, they became fools,”

 VI.  Unjust (Verses 22-23)  

• Bribery was rampant everywhere.

• Many authorities were corrupt as they were possibly driven by ambition. Proverbs 17:15

Conclusion:

     Read Isaiah 5:24 to show the reason for their wicked behavior.  “Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, So their root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”  NKJV

Bobby Stafford

May 8, 2011   

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