Topical Bible: Vineyards: The Stones Carefully Gathered out of

◄ Vineyards: The Stones Carefully Gathered out of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, vineyards held significant economic, cultural, and spiritual importance. The process of establishing a vineyard was meticulous and labor-intensive, involving the careful preparation of the land, which included the removal of stones. This practice is referenced in several biblical passages, illustrating both the physical and symbolic aspects of vineyard cultivation.

Biblical References

The act of gathering stones out of a vineyard is mentioned in Isaiah 5:2, which describes the preparation of a vineyard: "He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle of it and carved out a winepress as well. Then He waited for it to yield good grapes, but it yielded only worthless grapes." . This passage highlights the care and effort invested in creating a fertile environment for the vines, symbolizing God's provision and expectation for His people.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

The removal of stones from a vineyard is not merely an agricultural task but carries deeper spiritual symbolism. In the context of Isaiah 5, the vineyard represents the house of Israel, and the stones can be seen as obstacles or impurities that hinder spiritual growth and fruitfulness. The careful clearing of stones signifies God's desire for His people to be free from sin and prepared to produce good works.

In a broader sense, the imagery of stone removal can be applied to the Christian life, where believers are called to remove hindrances and cultivate a heart receptive to God's word. This process involves repentance, sanctification, and the pursuit of holiness, aligning with the New Testament teachings on spiritual growth and maturity.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, vineyards were a common feature of the landscape, and their successful cultivation was crucial for the production of wine, a staple in the diet and an important element in religious rituals. The removal of stones was essential to ensure the health and productivity of the vines, as stones could impede root growth and water absorption.

The labor-intensive nature of this task underscores the value placed on vineyards and the dedication required to maintain them. This dedication is reflected in the biblical metaphor of God as the vinedresser, who tends to His vineyard with care and precision.

Practical Implications

For the Israelites, the process of clearing stones from a vineyard was a practical necessity, ensuring that the land was suitable for planting and that the vines could thrive. This practice also served as a reminder of the diligence and perseverance required in both physical and spiritual endeavors.

In contemporary Christian thought, the metaphor of stone removal continues to resonate, encouraging believers to examine their lives for anything that might hinder their relationship with God and to actively participate in the process of spiritual cultivation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:2
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the middle of it, and also made a wine press therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Kings.
... of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give ... nor any other mark, excepting monumental
stones, with no ... These relics were carefully gathered up, and put in a ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... "Oh to have watched thee through the vineyards wander, Pluck ... He would be also taught
carefully in the Holy ... He found nothing to eat; the stones around mocked ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... Master, saying, "See what manner of stones and what ... were working in the fields or
vineyards must not ... stores of provision, which if carefully preserved would ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... Master, saying: "See what manner of stones and what ... were working in the fields or
vineyards must not ... stores of provision, which if carefully preserved would ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

Epistle xviii. Reply of St. Ambrose to the Memorial of Symmachus.. ...
... But this gold, if you consider it carefully, is of ... God wills not that He should be
worshipped in stones. ... too deny if they can that the vineyards abounded with ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle xviii reply of st.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... of the most refined and carefully executed portraits ... a platform, lined with terminal
stones inscribed with ... named Triopium, wheat-fields, vineyards, olive-groves ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears ... Gardens and vineyards are
places for fruit, for fruit ... out the weeds, and nettles, and stones; takes a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Thus, therefore, he went back, carefully looking on ... mountainous country, beautified
with woods, vineyards, fruit of ... they stoned him with stones; then pricked ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

The First Theban Empire
... was reached by narrow staircases carefully constructed in ... to overwhelm the enemy
with stones and javelins ... Khiti gathered together such an extensive fleet that ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... The feudatories of Phtah were gathered together in grottoes, connected by a labyrinth ...
the hour in which its rays fell on them, breaking out into lamentations ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm