68.
Israel, having given itself over to idolatry had lost any semblance of fruitfulness derived from the Lord. There is no mixture possible between the Lord and any other that may be exalted as god. Joshua proclaimed Him to be a jealous God. One who would not forgive their sins if they turned from Him to follow idols. Josh. 24:19-20 There is absolutely no compromise with the Lord. It is all or nothing at all. Jesus taught that no man, could possible serve two masters. For in the ultimate, he would hate the one and love the other or vice-versa. The main god of distraction today is mammon, the god of riches. Many will become bankrupt spiritually by seeking the wealth of this world. Mt. 6:24.
The prophecy of Isaiah, pertaining to the vine, portrayed it as being that great people whom the Lord brought out of Egypt. The prophetic utterance is directed at Judah and Jerusalem but Israel is also included. In the form of a song, a song of love, Israel is singing a song of the vine, to her beloved Lord. It is a song depicting the great preparation and care of the vine of the Lord, Israel. It was the choicest vine to be found on the earth. Every preparation possible for a fruitful vine was made with the expectation of a tremendous crop. Disappointment of disappointments, in the place of good fruit there was nothing but wild grapes. Isa. 5:1-2.
What more could He possibly have done to have had a successful harvest? The answer is nothing. Every possible effort had been made for a people blessed and increasing by the Lord. The result will be a total disregard and abandonment of the vineyard by the Lord. Its protection will be removed. Destruction will follow. The rains so vital to its growth and fruitfulness will be withheld. The vineyard is then clearly identified as being the house of Israel and the men of Judah. The anticipation of the Lord toward His vineyard proved to be a great displeasure to Him. Isa. 5:3-6.
All this does not mean that their crops were poorly. Because of the abundance of their harvest they were able to increase the altars of worship found around the land. Their God given wealth was used to a purpose which was greatly disturbing to Him. They spared no cost in preparing images of beauty which were distributed around the land. Hos. 10:1 The description of their abundance may be understood by the words found in 1 Kings 14:23 Every high hill became a place of worship where groves of trees and shines were established. The extreme wickedness of the people is evidenced by the male prostitutes who made these places so obscene in the sight of the Lord. 1 Kings 12:24 Failing to heed the Word of the Lord, Israel had fallen into the depths of sin and iniquity. They were more than worthy of the punishment which was upon them.