The Song of My Beloved: Isaiah 5:1–4

 Isaiah Vineyard Allegory

Isaiah 5:1–4 (KJV)

"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:
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.
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
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?"

Who is speaking?

Isaiah is the one speaking, but he presents this passage as a song or parable from God. The "wellbeloved" refers to God, specifically in His role as the owner of the vineyard.

Whom is Isaiah speaking about?

Isaiah is speaking about Israel and Judah, symbolized by the vineyard. The passage is a prophetic allegory describing God's relationship with His people.

Whom do the vineyard and vineyard owner represent?

• The vineyard represents Israel (Judah and Jerusalem in particular).
• The vineyard owner represents God, who has lovingly cared for and provided for His people.

Significance of the actions of the vineyard owner

The vineyard owner (God) took great care in cultivating the vineyard:

• He planted it in a fertile place (gave Israel a land flowing with milk and honey).
• He fenced it and cleared the stones (protected and removed obstacles).
• He planted the choicest vine (gave Israel the best spiritual opportunities, such as His law and prophets).
• He built a tower (offered divine protection and watchfulness).
• He made a winepress (prepared for a fruitful harvest of righteousness).

What is the result?

Instead of producing good grapes (righteousness and justice), the vineyard produced wild, bitter grapes (corruption, injustice, and sin). This represents Israel’s failure to live up to God's expectations despite His care and blessings. Because of this failure, God will bring judgment upon His people, as detailed in the following verses.

More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?