Genesis 9:20-23
And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.
INSIGHT
-vineyard in Hebrew is written as kerem & is defined as a plantation of grape vines used to make wine, grape juice etc. Various research studies have found that eating of grapes has numerous health benefits like prevention of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, constipation, treatment of acne etc.
-Noah planted vineyards after the flood. From his three sons Shem, Ham & Japheth, the whole earth was populated. Gods command to Adam, be fruitful, multiply, fill & subdue the earth became a reality with Noah & his sons. One day Noah became drunk with wine & his son; Ham saw his nakedness, unlike Shem & Japheth who covered him with a garment. As a result; Hams seed Canaan was Cursed & his descendants became servants of Shem & Japheth.
-King Solomon makes mention in Prov 31:4-7 that wine is not for kings & princes lest they forget the law & pervert justice but for those who are perishing. Kings & princes are leaders whose decisions should not be swayed by partaking of wine. Christ is the true vine & we are the branches. May we submit all to Him & He will direct us in all our decisions.
PRAYER
We submit our lives to You Father; help us to lead in Your wisdom. Be with us as we take a leadership role in our lives that our decisions may not be swayed by the wrong inclinations. May we be anchored to You always, for You are our strength. All glory, honour & praise belong to You. Amen
1 Kings 21:15-16
And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” So it was, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
INSIGHT
-King Ahab who lived in one Israel’s capital at that time Samaria; through his wife Jezebel murdered Naboth for he refused to sell him his inherited land. He coveted Naboth’s property & murdered him; which angered the Lord for he caused Israel to sin. His punishment was prescribed to him but he humbled himself in repentance & the Lord pushed this calamity to his son.
-Money & wealth may sometimes cause a facade to blind us from doing the will of the Father. Such wealth as King Solomon puts it will diminish (Prov 13:11).
PRAYER
We thank You Father; for Your goodness & mercy upon our lives. Protect us from all those who intend to cause us harm & cleanse us from all unrighteousness in our thoughts & hearts. Help us to do Your will & bless the work of our hands. Direct all our leaders to lead as You please. Amen
Psalm 107:37
And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest.
INSIGHT
-Vineyards were a symbol of economic activity & measure of value; just like livestock keeping, fishing, wheat & olive oil farming, carpentry & masonry which were common in the Bible. Grapes were sold as fruits for food & wine sold in households & functions like weddings. Wine was measured in baths; where 1 bath is equivalent to 5.8 gallons now, see Isaiah 5:10.
-Therefore, vineyards represent work; where the Psalmist recognizes Gods input in our success. He provides rain that our harvest may be bountiful/ fruitful. Rain is a common symbol of Gods blessings; which implies productivity. Lastly, work is a representation of a person’s calling or area of interest. God directs our sowing that we may have good success.
PRAYER
We give You thanks Lord; for You are good & Your mercy endures forever. Direct the unemployed, those who are yet to start business, start-ups, those who are struggling in employment & business; with Your powerful hand. May Your success be evident in all we do & the economy of our country. Thank You for Your loving kindness & goodness in our lives. Amen
John 15:1-5
“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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
INSIGHT
-Branches that are in Christ & do not bear fruit; He takes away as shown in Ecc 7:17, “Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?”
-Anchored to Christ in the fruit of the Spirit; we bear fruit gradually. Just as the Father has loved Christ, He has in turn loved us. Abiding in Jesus is following His word; which makes us clean through faith. He died & resurrected by His everlasting love for us; so that we may excel in His righteousness. Our wellness & well-being has a positive relationship to His righteousness in us; for without Him we can do nothing.
PRAYER
We humbly come before You Father; thanking You for Your graces upon our lives. Increase our faith & love for You so that we may abide in You; in an account of righteousness. Help us in our Christian journey as we look to You, the author & finisher of our faith. Amen
Matthew 20:8-9
“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the labourer’s and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.
INSIGHT
-Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven using the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some worked longer than others but all received a denarius (a generous wage that even the Roman soldiers got this per day). Gods grace is clearly shown as the last workers got undeserved favour. God didn’t give them what they deserved but what they needed. The heart of Christ clearly reflects His loving kindness & merciful love for us.
SUMMARY
-Vineyard’s produce vines that yield grapes; useful fruits which have numerous health benefits & manufacture wine. Wine has a way of influencing ones decisions negatively which may cause adverse effects on them.
-King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard & eventually killed him. Wealth may creating a facade in ones life; which may hinder him from doing Gods will.
-Vineyard’s represents economic activities, work & a measure of value. Just like the virtuous woman who plants a vineyard to ensure there is food in her household (Prov 31:15-16), when we focus on our work the Lord will make us successful.
-Christ is the true vine & the Father is the vinedresser. His word directs us to abide in Him & He abides in us. The Holy Spirit leads us in faith & love which direct us to the will of the Father.
PRAYER
Lord our Father, we bless You & magnify Your holy name. Be with our businesses, careers & help the jobless so that we may plant vineyards that will bear fruit. May Your love enhance our relationship with You & others around us; so that we may fit better in Your body. May Your grace abound in our hearts forever. Amen
