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| 1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: |
Song of my beloved – A parable, or story, of Jehovah. R4794:3
A vineyard – The Jewish nation. "A certain man planted a vineyard and set a hedge about it." (Mark 12:1) R1982:2, R2904:1
Palestine. R4257:1
Figure of Jewish and Christian systems, both the houses of Israel. R1896:1
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| 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. |
He fenced It – With the Law and the prophets. R4794:3, R1795:3
The spiritual promises with which he surrounds the Church. R4795:4
The special supervision and fatherly guardianship of God, the ministration of his faithful servants. to separate them from ungodly, surrounding nations and to protect them from their influence. R1795:3
Gathered out the stones – Removed the difficulties. R4794:3, R4795:4
The choicest vine – Referring specially to the leaders of the Jewish people. R2904:1
The richest promises of the Messianic Kingdom. R4794:3
The care with which the Lord planted his Church with heavenly, spiritual promises. R4795:4
And built a tower – A watch tower, representing the prophets. R1795:6, R4794:3
A watch tower of grace and truth established by the apostles. R4795:4
Made a winepress – The various advantages conferred upon Israel which should have caused an overflow of precious fruitage. R1795:3
Bring forth grapes – Mature fruits of character, especially that of unselfish love. E206; R4794:1, 1795:6
God looked for choice fruitage from such a favorably situated vineyard as Israel, but in vain. R4794:3
Wild grapes – Israel's fruitage was not in harmony with the promises God had planted, and this condition prevailed until the time of Jesus. R4794:3
Similarly, in the Harvest for spiritual Israel, the great nominal mass will be found unworthy. R4795:4
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| 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. |
Men of Judah – Isaiah was not writing to the ten tribes, but to the two tribes of Judah, seeking to warn them by the experiences of their sister nation. R3892:5
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| 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? |
Could have been done more – It was not for lack of attention on God's part, but perversity of the vine which had degenerated into a "strange vine." (Jer. 2:21) R1896:2
Wild grapes – As natural Israel failed to be ready to accept Jesus at his first advent, so spiritual Israel will fail to be ready to receive him as the Messiah at the establishment of his Kingdom. R4795:4
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| 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: |
Do to my vineyard – Temporarily abandoned, the vineyard of Israel will be restored during the Messianic reign. R4795:2
Take away the hedge – Applies since the day of John the Baptist, the last of the prophets. R4794:6
Trodden down --The Gentile nations have ravaged this vineyard. R4794:6
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| 6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. |
Lay It waste – Had some application to the 70 years of desolation of Israel, with larger fulfilment at our Lord's first advent when he declared their house left desolate because of their wrong condition of heart and rejection of Christ. (Matt. 23:38) R4257:1
No rain – It has been laid waste. No care has been taken for it. R4794:6
Symbol of truth. B256
No rain of divine blessing, comfort, encouragement has come upon the Jewish people in all these more than eighteen centuries. R4794:6
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| 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. |
House of Israel – Natural Israel types Christendom which is also called the Lord's vineyard. R5112:1[R5112]
For judgment – Justice. R2904:2, R4795:1, R5112:1
Behold oppression – Contrary to the Law, of unselfish love for the neighbor as for one's self. R4795:1
Those with the greatest knowledge of righteousness took advantage of their more ignorant brethren. R2904:2
For righteousness – Jehovah knew they could not keep the Law perfectly, but did expect heart endeavors. R4795:1
Equity. R5112:1
Behold a cry – Because of the landlordism of verse 8. R5112:1
Of distress, from the oppressed. R5112:1, R2904:2
So it is throughout the length and breadth of Christendom. R1896:2
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| 8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! |
Woe – Verses 8 to 23 treat the reasons the Lord was displeased with Israel and rejected them. R4257:1
Especially in the time of trouble. R2904:3
Unto them – Natural Israel and nominal spiritual Israel, Babylon. R2904:3
Join house to house – The religious organizations, corporations and individuals are all engaged in this business of acquiring wealth. R1896:2
Landlordism. In the future, "they shall no more build and another inhabit" (Isa. 65:22); perhaps signifying that in the future, houses will be built for the owner's occupancy, not rented. R2904:2
Illustrated in the Morgan-Rockefeller-Hill Trust "syndicating the world," seeking to acquire control of the world's interests in various lines, such as steel. R2804:3*
Lay field to field – Amass wealth and control land and machinery and all sources of wealth and power. R2904:3
There be no place – For the poor to occupy. R2904:2
Placed alone – The sin of selfishness, avarice, indicates a lack of the spirit of the Lord. R4795:2, R4257:1, R5112:1
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| 9 In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. |
In mine ears – In my hearing. R5112:2
The cry of the oppressed comes up into the ears of the Lord of armies who declares "woe." (See Jas. 5:1-6) R1896:2
Shall be desolate – Ruins will come on the great estates. R4795:4
Mansions uninhabited and fields unfruitful. R4257:2
The time of trouble will be upon all. R5112:2
Great and fair – Houses and families. R5112:2
The time of trouble will be especially against the great who live in earthly palaces. R2904:3
Without Inhabitant – In the time of trouble the finest residences will be deserted for safety's sake, or their occupants destroyed. R2904:3
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| 10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. |
Shall yield – When the time of trouble has fully come, so that "There is no hire for man or beast" (Zech. 8:10), the returns from large holdings will be so poor as to lead to serious results. R2904:5, R4795:4
Shortage of crops will have much to do with the trouble. R5112:2
One bath – Equals only eight gallons. R2804:6*
An ephah – But a tenth of an homer (or about one bushel). R2804:6*
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| 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! |
Woe unto them – Symbolic prophecy concerning both the houses of Israel, after the flesh and spiritual. R1896:1
Many of the rich indulged themselves in intoxicating liquors, music, revelry, etc., to their own injury and the neglect of their responsibilities toward God. R5112:3
Strong drink – Any indulgence of alcoholic spirits is dangerous. R4256:3
Reference here is not to literal wine, but to the intoxicating spirit of the world. R1444:1, R1896:2, R3892:3, R2904:2
Symbol of false doctrines. D614; R4257:6
Continue until night – All day long give themselves up to the intoxicating spirit of the world. R1896:3
Till wine inflame them! – Controlling the will and bringing it into slavery, rendering it almost powerless. R3893:1
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| 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. |
The harp – Money-making, feasting, music and pleasure-seeking absorb the attention of the great and influential. R4257:2, R1896:3
And pipe – Pipe organ. R2904:6
They regard not – The majority of the rich, like the majority of the poor, are selfish to the core. R5112:4
The minds of those given up to self-indulgence and enslaved to sin are distracted , turned to unworthy and ignoble subjects that have a degrading influence upon them. R3893:2
"God is not in all their thoughts." (Psa. 10:4) R3893:2
The work – The plan. R1896:3, R2409:6
Humanity in general. God would have the prosperous concentrate their powers, not upon the aggregation of wealth, but on generous schemes for the blessing and uplifting of the race. R5112:5
Neither consider – Their wealth gave them time, for which they are also responsible. R5112:3
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| 13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. |
Therefore my people – Those professing to be my people, Christians. R1896:3
Into captivity – To ambitious leaders who have usurped authority over them and made void the Word of God. R1896:3
Have no knowledge – Of the Lord's plan. R2905:1
Not being in the attitude of heart and mind in which God could teach and lead them. R1896:3
Their honourable men – Clergy, bishops and popes. R1896:3
Are famished – From lack of proper ideals and nourishment from the prophecies. R4257:3
Similar conditions apply now in Christendom. The people are hungry and thirsty for spiritual food and drink. R4257:3
"I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." (Amos 8:11) R1896:3, R5113:4
Dried up with thirst – For explanations and consistency which their teachers cannot satisfy. R2904:6
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| 14 Therefore Sheol hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. |
Therefore hell – Sheol, oblivion. Israel, having completely lost prestige having become as though dead. E369; R1896:3, R2599:5, R4257:4
Not the hell of eternal torment. R5113:4
Enlarged – The gratification of the fallen flesh has greatly enlarged the tomb-many more die prematurely. R3893:3
During the time of trouble the grave will specialty enlarge to take into it the octopus system of Babylon with its many arms-financial, political, social and religious. R2905:1
The time of trouble approaching will mean the loss of much life. "Unless those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved." (Matt. 24:22) R5113:4
He that rejoiceth – Thousands shall fall, including those who have once rejoiced in faith. R4257:4
Descend into It – Increase of death rate in the poor classes of Israelites. R4257:4
The hopes of many in spiritual Israel are going down into oblivion-faith is perishing among the people. R4257:4
The great systems of Christendom shall go into oblivion. R1896:4
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| 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: |
The mean man – Who now selfishly exalts himself, regardless of others. R1896:4
Shall be humbled – In the great leveling processes of the Day of the Lord. R1896:4
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| 16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. |
Exalted In judgment – This will be the outcome of the time of trouble. R1896:4
Sanctified in righteousness – Bring in righteousness, cause it to predominate. R3893:4
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| 17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. |
Of the fat ones – Of the rich. R1896:5
Shall strangers eat – The Lord will espouse the cause of the poor and needy. R1896:5
The goodly portion, spiritual favors, were bestowed upon us, Gentiles, aliens. R3893:4
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| 18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: |
Woe – In the present life. An expression of sympathy, not a threat of future tribulation. R3893:4
The "woe" time will be the great time of trouble. R3894:2
Unto them – Especially to the prominent ones (teachers) of Babylon. R2905:1
Cords of vanity – Self-conceit, supposing that they are hastening the Lord's work. R2905:1
Falsehood, in carrying forward their inequitable schemes. R4257:4
And sin – Especially lying and hypocrisy. R1896:5
With a cart rope – The poor groaning creation is as a slave bound to sin by a "cart rope;" it is so strong that he cannot break it. R3893:5
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| 19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! |
That say – "If there be a God, and if he have the power, would he not long ago have exerted it? May we not, therefore, go onward in the way of sin with impunity?" R3893:5
By their conduct. R1896:5
Let him – The Lord. R1896:5
Make speed – Thus, in unbelief, they scoff at the truth now due. R1896:5
That we may see It – The fact that the Lord has been lifting the veil of ignorance from the world and permitting greater blessings is influencing many to turn to Evolution and conclude that man did not fall. R3893:5
Draw nigh and come – They claim to be in full accord with the Lord and ready for his Kingdom if he had one, or if it ever will come. R4257:5
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| 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! |
Woe unto them – Satan and his associates and servants. E189; F199
Especially the clergy. R3894:1
Not that the founders of the counterfeit systems intentionally organized them for the purpose Of misleading the people of God. F199
That call evil good – Calling God's good "evil" and God's righteousness "sin." R1800:4
Sin is a terrible malady, and it is as improper to call it a blessing as cholera or smallpox. R849:4
As do they who say that the evil in men is the working of God in him. R1778:2, R1269:1, R848:2
Considering the evils of our time as nothing, as really good in comparison with the past. R3893:6
Thus making it easy to do evil and difficult to do good. E189
The have called the evil things which they practice good. R4257:5
As some who conclude that they are as much saved and as much loved as the saints, while they are yet in their sins and rebellion against God. R1253:5
"Let no man say, when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." (Jas. 1:13) R1269:1
And good evil – Imputing evil to God, whose work is perfect. R1778:2, R1269:1
Calling truth and equity nonsensical. R4257:5
The good of the past they are disposed to reckon as evil, imperfect. R3893:6
Darkness for light – Teaching Evolution and eternal torment as gospel. R3015:2, R2905:2
Satan's favorite method of operating. R5183:6, R5053:4
Is it any wonder that "my people perish for lack of knowledge." (Hos. 4:6) R2693:4
Light for darkness – False teachers warn the people against the truth, as poison. R2905:4
Bitter for sweet – Truth is sweet. R4257:5
Sweet for bitter – Error-that which Babylon calls gospel is bad tidings. R4257:5, R2905:2
The bitter dose of eternal torment is misnamed sweet, heavenly truth. R2905:4
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| 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! |
Them that are wise – "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Cor. 3:19) R1896:5
And prudent – A wisdom and prudence which is of the earth earthy, sensual, devilish. R4257:5
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| 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: |
Woe unto them – In the time of trouble now near at hand. R3894:2
Mighty to drink wine – Greedily imbibe the spirit of the world while still professing to be God's people. R1896:5
Men of strength – Of intellect and influence. R1896:5
Special condemnation to those who are the public leaders and promulgators of false doctrines. R1444:4
Mingle strong drink – Mingle the world's ideas and doctrines and customs with a little of the truth, perverted and misused and so associated with error as not to be understood. R1896:6
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| 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! |
Which – Clergy of Christendom, in their funeral orations. R3894:1, R2905:5
Justify the wicked – Preach them into heaven. R2905:4
Defend the wicked, erroneous, God-dishonoring creeds; thus perverting the truth. R3894:2, R1896:6
For reward – For increased influence in the family or denomination. R2905:4
For popular approval, denominational standing, the honor of men, financial emoluments, social interest. R1896:6, R3894:2
And take away – To say all manner of evil against them falsely- or, at least, to imply evil. R2905:4
The righteousness – Misrepresent those who hold the truth. R1896:6, R2905:4
Of the righteous – Of those who come out of Babylon. R2905:4
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| 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. |
Therefore – Verses 24 to 30 show the mighty power which caused the fall of the Jewish polity and describe the great time of trouble now impending. R4257:1, R2905:5
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| 25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. |
The hills – The governments. D551
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| 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: |
And he – Possibly the concluding verses refer particularly to the United States. R2327:5
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| 27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: |
Nor stumble – The Millennial age "highway of holiness," free from stumbling stones. (Isa. 35:8, 9) R3026:5
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| 28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind. |
Like a whirlwind – Symbol of the time of trouble. D528; R1896:6
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| 29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it. |
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| 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. |
Roaring of the sea – The freedom possessed in the United States is, in the estimation of many of the potentates of Europe, like the raging of anarchy. R2327:6
Unto the land – The social structure. R2327:6
In the heavens – In the nominal church. R2327:6
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