Topical Bible: The Vine: The Fruit of Made Into Wine

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The vine holds a significant place in biblical literature, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and divine favor. The fruit of the vine, primarily grapes, is most notably transformed into wine, a substance that carries both literal and symbolic meanings throughout Scripture.

Biblical References and Symbolism

Wine is first mentioned in Genesis 9:20-21, where Noah, a man of the soil, plants a vineyard and becomes drunk on the wine produced. This early reference sets the stage for wine's dual nature as both a blessing and a potential source of moral failure. The vine and its fruit are often associated with prosperity and joy, as seen in Psalm 104:14-15, which states, "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart."

In the Old Testament, the Promised Land is frequently described as a land of vineyards and wine, symbolizing God's provision and abundance (Deuteronomy 8:7-8). The vine becomes a metaphor for Israel itself, as in Isaiah 5:1-7, where the nation is depicted as a vineyard planted and tended by the Lord, yet producing wild grapes due to its unfaithfulness.

Wine in Worship and Celebration

Wine plays a crucial role in religious rituals and celebrations. In the context of offerings, wine is used as a drink offering, as prescribed in Numbers 15:5-10. The drink offering accompanies burnt offerings and grain offerings, signifying the completeness of the sacrificial system and the joy of fellowship with God.

The use of wine in celebrations is evident in the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs His first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). This act not only underscores the importance of wine in Jewish wedding feasts but also symbolizes the new covenant and the transformative power of Christ.

The New Testament and the Vine

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of the vine to convey spiritual truths. In John 15:1-5, He declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ to produce spiritual fruit, with the vine symbolizing the source of life and sustenance.

The fruit of the vine is also central to the institution of the Lord's Supper. During the Last Supper, Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers it to His disciples, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). Here, wine becomes a profound symbol of the new covenant, representing the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of humanity.

Warnings and Moderation

While wine is often associated with joy and blessing, Scripture also warns against its misuse. Proverbs 20:1 cautions, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." The potential for wine to lead to drunkenness and moral decay is acknowledged, urging believers to exercise self-control and moderation.

The Apostle Paul advises Timothy to "stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23), indicating the medicinal use of wine. However, Paul also warns against excessive drinking, as seen in Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Conclusion

The vine and its fruit, transformed into wine, are woven throughout the biblical narrative, embodying themes of blessing, covenant, and spiritual truth. While wine is a gift from God meant to be enjoyed, it also requires responsible stewardship, reflecting the broader biblical call to live a life of holiness and devotion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 32:14
Butter of cows, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and you did drink the pure blood of the grape.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 26:29
But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Further Proofs of the Same Proposition, Drawn from the Promises ...
... by any means be understood as drinking of the fruit of the ... to drink of that which
flows from the vine pertains to ... 4739] and not only was he not made lord of ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii further proofs of the.htm

Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the ... to such countries wherein the
grape-vine does not ... iv); consequently this sacrament can be made from must. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wine of the grape.htm

How the vine of the Priest of Rieti, Whose House St Francis ...
... of the merits of St Francis, the vine, though despoiled ... same way many Christians,
whose sins had made them barren ... come to abound in the good fruit of repentance ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xix how the vine.htm

On Fruit Bearing.
... In this garden God made to grow every tree that was pleasant to the sight and good
for ... As the branch receives life through the vine and bears fruit, so the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on fruit bearing.htm

Song of Songs of Solomon
... 4. Turn away thine eyes from me, because they have made me to ... to the vineyards; let
us see if the vine flourish, if the flowers bring forth fruit, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/

John ii. 4
... weaken it, show us, I beseech you, your fruit, that we ... it is He who transmutes water
in the vine plants, and ... came into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxii john ii 4.htm

Fruits of Recognized Union
... heavenward; gentle and tender as the Vine, self-forgetful and self-sacrificing,
not merely bearing fruit in spite ... in the lowly wild flower He has made His bride ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section v fruits of recognized.htm

Bread and Wine
... Verily I say unto you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that ...
the estrangements which existed from the first, and which made the Jewish ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 22-25 bread and wine.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... mother would reply; "you must never touch the fruit of the ... His death has made a lasting
break between his ... and office to touch anything pertaining to the vine. ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

The Lord's Supper --Concluded.
... fact that the earthly elements are called bread and the fruit of the vine, before,
during ... Even unbaptized persons, and persons who have never made a public ...
/.../chapter xv the lords supperconcluded.htm