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3) The support structure?
In all this there is something that is not said explicitly. Lebanon is associated with a cedar tree, and the nations are likened to trees.
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature;..Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field. (Eze 31:3-5 KJV)
However, Ezekiel here speaking of the nations as trees on three occasions likens Israel to a grape vine. Israel as a vine, is possibly a self chosen image due to national association, like Canada has the Maple or Australia the Wattle. There is one aspect to this image that is not mentioned. Yahweh planted Israel, tends it and waters the vineyard. Israel, as the vine, grows to fill the land and shade it, but what is this vine supported by or growing on? The trees don't need support, however, grape vines do.
Experts will recommend grapes must be trellised for good fruit production. They write that the trellis systems needs to be installed prior to planting new vines to prevent damaging the roots. Trellising permits the sun to reach each flower cluster. Trellising also promotes good air circulation which cuts down on disease problems. Most importantly the trellis systems determines how the plants should be trained and pruned. In analogy, if Yahweh is planting the vine, and if before the vine is planted in the land a system needs to be in place to support this vine, what in actuality would that system be? I would suggest it is the Law.
It is never written directly but it is implied. Isaiah says Yahweh looked for righteousness. The 'fruit' that was encouraged by the 'structure' or good arrangement of the Law, was righteousness.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgement, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. (Isa 5:7 KJV)
No other nation has been given so complete a support as this. A law that even now is marvelled at in its advanced legislation covering most aspects of life including recognition of such things as basic hygiene, and its detailed system of justice. Moses made no boast when he said.
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deu 4:8)
How appropriate it is that Israel picked this image of themselves or that Yahweh used it to describe them! Unlike the other nations that had to make their system of laws and which grew of themselves from the earth as they required, the national system, or the structure that made the nation, was given, wholly and completely, before the nation was even 'planted' in the land.
Another aspect that is not mentioned is that proper pruning increases quality and quantity of the fruit. It also improves vine health, ensuring good production year after year. In the advice it says that pruning keeps vines at a manageable size for the trellis and maximizes exposure to sunlight. No analogy mentions this, but it so happens that this is appropriate. Right from the beginning of the nation Yahweh stated that he would actively be involved in their discipline.
And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. (Exo 34:10 KJV)
The trees may grow tall and strong with no help at all. The grape vine, of all the plants, must be pruned and worked with to be useful and produce.
The experts say of vines that disease management is necessary for long-term productivity and that good cultural practices help to limit disease development. Yahweh made it clear to his people if they listened to his word and absorbed his culture they would be disease free.
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (Exo 15:26 KJV)
In the future Israel will again be fruitful. And again if Hosea is read closely it appears he had in his mind Israel as a vine.
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. (Hos 14:5-7 KJV)
And this fruitfulness in spiritual things will be equated in the natural environment.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. .. for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain .. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.(Joe 2:21-25 KJV)
Zechariah agrees
For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass..O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: (Zec 8:11-13 KJV)
Malachi goes further saying that the abundance in Israel will be delightful for all nations
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal 3:10-12 KJV)
So for the past and the future Israel is associated with the analogy of the grape vine, with all the associations with the production of fruit and the hidden aspect of the support of the law. It is perhaps no accident that the Israel is noted now for its wines. Very heavy sweet red wine.
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