The People of God--God's Field or Vineyard--III

Hosea also compares God's people with a vineyard which Yahweh transplants from Egypt to Canaan, expects to bear good fruit, is disappointed because it bears corrupt fruit, prunes it back by sending Israel into Assyrian exile, but still cares for the vineyard and anticipates cultivating it again for productive growth. One can follow the story in Hosea by noting the following passages:

Hosea 9:10:
"When I found Israel,
it was like finding grapes in the desert;
when I saw your fathers,
it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.
But when they came to Baal Peor,
they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol
and became as vile as the thing they loved" [see Numbers 25:1-3].

Hosea 9:16:
"Ephraim [=Israel] is blighted,
their root is withered,
they yield no fruit.
Even if they bear children,
I will slay their cherished offspring."

Hosea 10:1:
"Israel was a spreading vine;
he brought forth fruit for himself.
As his fruit increased,
he built more altars;
as his land prospered,
he adorned his sacred stones."

Hosea 14:5-7:
"I [Yahweh] will be like dew to Israel;
he will blossom as a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
People will dwell again in his shade.
He will flourish like the grain.
He will blossom like a vine,
and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon."

In addition, Hosea 10:12-13c uses agricultural language to describe God's relationship to and expectations of his people Israel:

"Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of steadfast love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you.
But you have planted wickedness,
you have reaped evil,
you have eaten the fruit of deception."

As a farmer or vinegrower cultivates and waters and weeds soil to produce a good crop, so God cultivates and waters and weeds the human heart to produce a life of service to him and to others. The fields or vineyards must submit to the vinegrower's care and respond to his work; otherwise, they will produce no crops. May God help us respond to his love care, so he can work in our hearts and produce healthy fruit.

John Willis