Kept Night and Day

"In that day sing to her, "A vineyard of red wine! ³ I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day."

Isaiah 27:2-3

Many times in the Old Testament the nation Israel is compared to a vineyard.  The day spoken of here is after Jesus defeats Satan and establishes His throne over all.  God chose Israel as His inheritance, and His eyes are always upon His people for good.  He caused the nation of Israel to flourish, and even now offers Living Water to all who come to Him and drink.

When a vineyard was planted, the wine dresser took many steps to ensure it was fenced, guarded, irrigated, and carefully pruned to be more fruitful.  There are many varieties of grapes which produce wine, and in this passage Israel is compared to a vineyard which would produce red wine.  Night and day God remains vigilant to protect and provide for the needs of His people.  Under the New Covenant ushered in through the shed blood of Jesus, He has purchased other sheep (Gentiles) who are adopted into the family of God by the Gospel of grace.  But His eyes are on Israel still, and will not disinherit them.

As I read this text this morning, it reminded me of Naboth who treasured his own inheritance provided by God, land passed down through generations.  King Ahab desired the vineyard of Naboth because it was close to his residence and wanted it for a garden of herbs.  He offered a better vineyard in return or the agreed cash value.  Naboth's response could not have been more clear in 1 Kings 21:3:  "But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"  Naboth refused to sell the inheritance he treasured, and God will not part with Israel His vineyard either.

King Ahab ended up with the vineyard through his wicked and crafty wife Jezebel.  She organised false witnesses to claim Naboth blasphemed against God and the king - interestingly the same false accusations levelled against Jesus!  Naboth was stoned for his vineyard, and Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world.  After the death of Naboth the prophet Elijah was sent by God to prophesy against Ahab as he took possession of the vineyard - and Jezebel too.  God has prophesied death and destruction upon Satan for his crimes:  the anti-Christ and Satan that old serpent will one day be utterly destroyed for their wickedness.

How good God is to His people, to willingly die so we might live!  The LORD keeps His vineyard, and He keeps followers of Jesus night and day.  By faith we are grafted into the Vine who is Jesus.  1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  Our hope is a living hope in Christ and we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation.  Night and day we are safe in His hands for all who are in Christ are His chosen inheritance.