Isaiah Chapter 27 - Israel; A Land of Fruit and Flowers
In that day sing to her, “A vineyard of red wine! I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. (Isaiah 27:2-6)
Isaiah chapter 27 contains a very interesting prophecy about Israeli agricultural and wine production - a prophecy that until the past 20 years would have been considered one of those "errors in the bible."
Prior to it’s rebirth as a nation in 1948, the area that would become Israel was a barren wasteland. In 1867 Mark Twain traveled to the area of modern-day Israel, and noted the condition of the land:
“The Land of Israel is a wasteland and devoid of delight. The Land of Israel is no longer to be considered part of the actual world. We did not see a soul during the entire journey, everywhere we went there was no tree or shrub.” (which incidentally also discounts the claim that the land was the “homeland" of the Palestinian people as parroted by so many)
So what has happened? The prophecies of the bible concerning Israeli fruit, flower, and wine production have come to pass in our lifetime!
“A vineyard of red wine!” (vs 2)
I will bring back my exiled people Israel [1948]; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. ~ Amos 9:14
After many years where in Israel the wine industry was almost non-existent, over the last twenty years the Israeli wine industry has grown tremendously. Today there are around 300 wineries of different sizes in all areas of Israel.
"Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” (vs 6)
Today Israel is one of the world's leading fresh citrus producers and exporters, including oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and the pomelit (a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pomelo developed in Israel). In 2013 Israel exported 601 metric tons of fresh fruit. The area of irrigated farmland in Israel has increased from 74,000 acres in 1948 to some 460,000 acres today. Between 1999 and 2009 Israeli agricultural production rose 26%.
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. ~ Isaiah 35:1
Today Israel produces vast quantities of flowers for export, and has become a major player in the global floral industry, especially as a supplier of traditional European flowers during the winter months. In 2013 Israel exported over $80 million dollars of flowers, putting it in the top ten flower exporters in the world.
I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops… ~ Ezekiel 34:29-30
So, what does that matter if Israel grows a bunch of fruit and flowers? From an economic perspective, it’s just good news for the nation of Israel. But from a biblical perspective, it tells us two very important things:
#1 - God’s word will stand
Isaiah 40:8 tells us;
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
When God promises to send an army to correct His people; He does it.
When God promises to regather His people to their land; He does it.
When God promises to send a savior that will reconcile man to His God; He does it!
When God promises to regather His people to their land; He does it.
When God promises to send a savior that will reconcile man to His God; He does it!
So saints, when we look at the prophecies in the bible that have come to pass, we can be encouraged that God isn’t going to stop halfway - He will complete all that He promises!
#2 - Israel is a picture of us
When I see the way God has taken a land that was forgotten, destitute, dry and barren, and He has filled it with life and abundance, it reminds me of what God promises to do in our life through Jesus Christ! Jesus declared:
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 6:10)
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 6:10)
In other words, the gospel message of Jesus Christ changes everything! He takes our life that was dry and desolate, and He fills us with life, life abundant!
Pastor Clay
