Fruit of the Vine

Fruit of the Vine

“To everything there is a season.”  Join Pastor Israel on a walk through the vineyards of the Judean Hill region.

Seven species of plants are mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:8 as the inheritance of Israel in the promised land. However, it is the grapevine that is mentioned more than any other plant in the Bible. This vine became very important culturally and economically to Israeli everyday life. Because of its significance, it was often used symbolically in Scripture. A fruitful vine symbolized obedience to the Lord, while wild grapes or an empty vine spoke of spiritual waywardness. 

Prophetic Vineyards
When walking among the vineyards in the Judean hills in Israel, it’s impossible not to think about Biblical prophecies around this fruitful plant. For hundreds of years, the Judean desert region of Israel was a barren and desolate wilderness, full of thorns and thistles. When God miraculously restored the house of Israel, bringing the nation back to their Land, He recreated this desert land into a flourishing and fruitful region filled with vineyards, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 5:7: “The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.“ 

He is the Vinedresser
However, it’s only by the careful tending and cultivating of the vinedresser that this plant produces any good fruit. Isaiah 5:1-2 describes the process of establishing a good vineyard in Israel. Typically built on a hillside, it often needed to be cleared of many stones. Only after it had been cleared and tilled could the vines be planted. To protect against thieves or raiders, a wall or hedge was built around the vineyard and a watch tower stationed with guards. But the most important thing was the health of this plant. It was the pruning that helped it bear good fruit. Without pruning, the vines could become overgrown, tangled, and susceptible to diseases. Proper pruning is essential for maintaining vine health, optimizing fruit quality, and ensuring sustainable grape production. 

God is still working in His vineyard (Israel) and protecting His precious vines (people). There may be times of pruning, but the walls are in place for protection, and there are guards in the watchtower. Through His son, Yeshua, you have been grafted into the Father’s vine and are now part of His vineyard, that He works hard to keep and protect. Much like how stronger branches are grafted into the grapevine to help it bear more fruit, we will also bear fruit if we are grafted in Him. Yeshua is our Vinedresser. He is watching over us, caring, watering, watching, protecting, and pruning us so that we might produce abundant fruit. 

John 15:1-2 — “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

For All Seasons
We all have seasons in our lives, just as the vine has seasons—seasons for growing, pruning, shedding, bearing fruit, and harvesting. It’s a process, and we need to trust our Vinedresser, who knows the seasons. Despite the cleansing that has been done in us, we are still a work in progress. We need God to check our lives for any harmful branches that might have attached themselves to us. Allowing the Lord to prune our vines will lead to bearing fruit that blesses others. 

Although Israelis and Christians are branches from different vines, the Lord has grafted us into ONE. We are to grow together, nurturing one another to produce an abundant and healthy harvest for the Lord. Partner with VOJI to bring the Good News to the Israeli people that prunes off the dead, replacing it with new life. We are the laborers in His vineyard, preparing the way of the Lord.