The Beloved's Vineyard

I have been absent from my blog for a month or so. This was due to school holidays, new computer and general busy-ness. Welcome back.

Today is the 24th January, and so, this morning I read the 24th chapter of Proverbs. This book of Wisdom is such, that no matter how many times you read it, there will always be new treasure. Of course, the whole Word of God is like that - new and fresh each day, just like the manna from heaven.....and today I was drawn to the final verses of this chapter where we read about the vineyard, and the effect of being slothful in tending to our vineyard. This is encouragement to not slacken our hands, to not give up being diligent in our communion with our Beloved, or immersing ourselves in the Scriptures.  Here is the picture:

'I went by the vineyard of the slothful, and by the man devoid of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth and thy want as an armed man' Proverbs 24:30-33

The thorns and thistles are painful weeds, which grow amongst the good vines, robbing them of nourishment and finally obscuring them from the light.  The fruit, if indeed any remains, is hidden so that none may find it or enjoy it.  It may well be sour and stunted fruit, because the thorns have taken the moisture and sweetness.  Nettles are painful and irritating to the touch, and repel anyone from coming near to the vine.  Our neglect of our walk - our own vineyard - will eventually make us fruitless, sour and separated.  Sin will always result in this (Genesis 3:18)

The stone wall was erected to provide shelter from the elements, protection from pests and predators.  If the wall was broken down, the vineyard was vulnerable; the winds could more easily blow foreign seed into the vineyard.  Foxes could find a way in and rob the vines of their fruit.  Thieves could more easily slip in undiscovered in order to steal.

The wall also marked a clear boundary around the vineyard.  Only the rightful owner or person caring for the vineyard could enter, and only by the gate.  Anyone entering would need permission from the owner.  A city with its walls broken down was considered conquered.

This boundary was also important not just for outer protection, but also because the vines were contained.  They could not ramble their way into a stranger's field or escape the vineyard owner's attention and pruning.

Spiritual poverty renders our vineyard worthless and hostile.  The Master can no longer delight in the fragrance and fruitfulness of His planting, and will cease from walking there.  Others will not find us pleasant.  In the extreme, we have become fugitives and our lives become restless and we are fugitive away from His love, care and provision.  And when the Master does look upon us, and choose to tidy up, the process is hard and painful, because we have allowed sin to take root and our vines have become wild.  Let us not sleep, like the foolish virgins, oblivious to the true state of our vineyards.  (Matt 25:1)