In my bible, this passage is
cheerfully headed, “Jerusalem
What’s so useless about Israel Israel
As God’s chosen people, Israel
had the duty of being to God as a laden and fruitful vine is to the vineyard
owner, but not only has Israel not been fruitful but the wood that surrounds
her, the godless nations around Israel are more useful to God than Israel
herself. Twice God declares His intent
to set His face against Israel
Take some time now to praise God
for His redeeming work through Jesus, that though you and I can be fruitless,
we never need to face the full wrath of God.
Thank Jesus as you think upon how it must have felt for Him, a vine
heavy laden with fruit, the true vine, to be treated as less than worthless for
our sake.
(lay member of staff)