MAN IS THE VINEYARD

A vineyard is an area where grapevines and their fruits are grown and cultivated intensely according to Complete Word
 Study Dictionary (CWSD). This takes us back to the formation of man, man was formed from the ground Gen. 2:7 thus the vineyard. After God forming man, He assigned him to till the land and dress it Gen. 2:15. In the image of God man was to dress it and till it for it to bear much fruit. You and I are assigned the role of dressing and tilling this garden (our bodies), your body so that you may bear much and good vine which will make our father, the owner of our body feel good. God is delighted when man is fruitful. After dressing and tilling the garden thus our bodies which may bear good and much fruit, this now is to be extended to our neighbors. Who is your neighbor? A neighbor is anything that is next to you. He can be person, animals, plants, and all living things that are around you. By doing that, you are showing love to God. John says in his first letter, how can you love God when you do not love your neighbor? 1 John 4:20. This was emphasised by Jesus when he was asked about the greatest commandment. Matt 22:36-4o.

What separated man from the ground was that breath that man was breathed in. Breath we are told in Paul’s letter to timothy that it is the word of God. This word of God is the one that makes man to have the image of the creator (God) 2Timothy 3:16-18. This breath is the spirit of God which quickens man, that is gives man life John 6:63. This word is what separated Jesus from all other men. The knowledge from the word separate man from the world, not reciting the word but living the word. The word becoming flesh just as he was Jesus John 1:14. This is what John is referring to in his first letter the word dwelt among us, we saw him 1John 1:1-3

Stone walls and/or hedges were usually built around the vineyard to protect the grapes from thirsty animals and from thieves Song 2:15; Jer. 49:9. Watchtowers were also built to provide further protection. The hewing out of a winepress or vat completed the vineyard installation (Isa. 5:2).

After the grapes had set on the branches, the vines were pruned (Lev. 25:4; Isa. 18:5; John 15:1-2). This process produced stronger branches and a greater fruit yield. The pruned branches were useless except to be used as fuel (Ezek. 15:2-8). The vines for the most part were allowed to run on the ground, though occasionally they might climb a nearby tree (cp. Ps. 80:8-10; Ezek. 15:2; 19:11). Perhaps it was this latter occurrence that made it possible for a man to “sit under” his vine (1 Kings 4:25).

The Word of God frequently uses vine or vineyard as a symbol. Vine is often used in speaking of Israel. Thus Israel is said to have been brought out of Egypt and planted as a vine on the land but was forsaken (Ps. 80:8-13; cp. Isa. 5:1-7). Israel was planted a “choice vine” but became a “wild vine” (Jer. 2:21; cp. Hos. 10:1). As the dead wood of a vine is good for nothing but fuel, so the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be consumed (Ezek. 15:1-8; 19:10-14).