And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
The vineyard and the branch are Israel, God's people, whom His right hand planted and whom He made strong for Himself. God brought the vine out of Egypt, cast out the heathen to make room for it, and planted it in Canaan, a good land. He gave it room, caused it to take deep root until it filled the land and spread its boughs to the sea and to the river. There He nourished, tended, and lovingly cared for it, working to save it while seeking fruit.
The vine at the temple entrance represented Israel as a prosperous vine. God expected good fruit, but the vine produced wild grapes, for the people forgot Him, rebelled, and abused the privileges He gave them. They rejected His mercy, counsel, warnings, and opportunities, leaving the vineyard fruitless. In continuing love He sent prophets to warn the people and established sacrifices pointing to the one great Sacrifice. Christ's three years of ministry among the people was the Lord's continued care for His own planting.
The verse is a plea for the God of hosts to return, look down from heaven, look upon, visit and protect His established people and restore them from harm. In Hezekiah's time during the Assyrian threat the words were prayed on behalf of Judah and for the honor of the Supreme Ruler. They were prayed so that all people of the earth might know that the Lord is God and there is none else. This was in harmony with His purpose to maintain His people's cause at all times and to show favor and deliverance when their chief men enter the house of prayer in times of war or oppression by an enemy.
The plea is made when its hedges are broken down so passersby pluck it, the boar wastes it, and the wild beast devours it. It is made when the vine is burned with fire, cut down, and perishing at the rebuke of His countenance. It asks Him to visit the vineyard and the branch and to put His hand on the man of His right hand. It asks this so that His people will not go back from Him but will be quickened to call on His name and be saved by the shining of His face. The words serve as a prayer for people who need to return to the Lord.
The vineyard and the branch are Israel, God's people, whom His right hand planted and whom He made strong for Himself. God brought the vine out of Egypt, cast out the heathen to make room for it, and planted it in Canaan, a good land. He gave it room, caused it to take deep root until it filled the land and spread its boughs to the sea and to the river. There He nourished, tended, and lovingly cared for it, working to save it while seeking fruit.
The vine at the temple entrance represented Israel as a prosperous vine. God expected good fruit, but the vine produced wild grapes, for the people forgot Him, rebelled, and abused the privileges He gave them. They rejected His mercy, counsel, warnings, and opportunities, leaving the vineyard fruitless. In continuing love He sent prophets to warn the people and established sacrifices pointing to the one great Sacrifice. Christ's three years of ministry among the people was the Lord's continued care for His own planting.
The verse is a plea for the God of hosts to return, look down from heaven, look upon, visit and protect His established people and restore them from harm. In Hezekiah's time during the Assyrian threat the words were prayed on behalf of Judah and for the honor of the Supreme Ruler. They were prayed so that all people of the earth might know that the Lord is God and there is none else. This was in harmony with His purpose to maintain His people's cause at all times and to show favor and deliverance when their chief men enter the house of prayer in times of war or oppression by an enemy.
The plea is made when its hedges are broken down so passersby pluck it, the boar wastes it, and the wild beast devours it. It is made when the vine is burned with fire, cut down, and perishing at the rebuke of His countenance. It asks Him to visit the vineyard and the branch and to put His hand on the man of His right hand. It asks this so that His people will not go back from Him but will be quickened to call on His name and be saved by the shining of His face. The words serve as a prayer for people who need to return to the Lord.