Rev. George Miller
Nov 19, 2023
Isaiah 5:1-7
Last week we saw Jesus as a small-town son. Well - Isaiah is a southern boy, prophesizing
to the lower part of the nation.
If storytelling is an art form in small towns, natured based
sayings are essential to the south.
“She hasn’t got the sense God gave a goose.” “He’s pitching a hissy fit with a tail tied
to it.”
“Grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater.”
Sayings that expect you to have some idea of what a goose,
possum and tater are.
Last week, we heard Hosea use family terms to express God’s
relationship with us. Today, Isaiah uses
agricultural terms.
He portrays God as a grape-growing wine maker. BUT not the bourgeoise kind of landowner who
hires others to do the work.
The God that Isaiah offers us is like the Lady in Luke 5 who
looks for the Lost Coin, who sweeps the floor, gets on her hands and knees to
search every nook and cranny.
Isaiah’s image of God is similar- hands on and willing to
dig in the dirt, clear away stones, who prunes and plants with precision.
Isaiah portrays God as intentional, caring, creating safe
boundaries with watchtowers and plenty of water.
In verse 7, the people of God are presented as a pleasant
planting expected to produce justice and righteousness.
Verses 1-3 have this image of God as Robert Mondavi, and
Old McDonald.
It’s like Genesis 2 in which God digs into the mud to form
Adam.
Isaiah does not show God as distant or disinterested, but
God as hands on, all in and covered in muck, manure and mulch.
Which brings us to today’s thought- if this image of God
as vintner is to be embraced…what kind of grape do see yourself as?
Not all grapes are the same; there are so many varieties-
muscadine, merlot, chardonnay.
If you like Isaiah’s image of God as a grape grower, what
kind of grape do you see yourself to be?
Sweet or bitter?
Mild or tart?
Apple juicy? Large
and delicious?
Would you say you are a Hardier European? Ripe and black?
Dark and sun warmed?
Cuban wild?
What kind of spiritual grape would you call yourself?
The praying kind?
Preaching kind? The host and hospitality
kind?
What kind of spiritual grape are you?
The feeding hungry bodies kind?
The educating minds kind?
The caring for church property kind?
What kind of spiritual grape are you?
Grape of gratitude?
Surf and sun kind?
Monitoring the money kind?
So many grapes and so many different varieties-
Are you the Living in simplicity kind, studying world
religions kind, slowing down to enjoy the day kind, the “hopeful expectation”
kind?
So many grapes that God grows, each with their own uniqueness.
There is the more extended faith family and communal question-What
kind of grape is Emmanuel?
When the Holy Spirit saw fit for our church to be planted
in 1990 there was a purpose in mind.
What kind of grape is Emmanuel UCC? The FL Conference, founding pastor and founding
members had an idea in mind.
Back when Rev. Loffer was alive, he said that Emmanuel UCC
was founded to be a “progressive presence in central, rural Florida.”
We have been that grape, which some have found to be sweet,
some have found to be sour.
What kind of grape is Emmanuel UCC? For what purpose?
Over the years we’ve proclaimed that we are the variety that
believes in justice, kindness and humility; we are the variety that has a passion
for God and compassion for all.
Over the years we’ve been a particular vineyard of God
that feeds 150 families a month in addition to 5 local agencies.
We are a vineyard that shows up, speaks out, stands up
and stands with.
Over the years this vineyard has been one of education,
illumination, collaboration, one of spirit, soul, multiculturalism, Pride, and
Women’s equity.
We are a vineyard that is Open and Affirming and still growing
into what else we can be.
If Isaiah was alive today, what sassy southern saying
would he say about us?
“They’re as happy as clams at high tide.” “Many hands make a light load.” “Say yer prayers n blessin.”
Maybe he would say “They’re alive and living, sweet and
ripe, products of the Sun, filled with the Spirit, and Watered by the Word.”
We are one of God’s beloved vineyards.
As such, we continue to grow and learn, live and love, in
passion and compassion, justice and kindness, followers of Christ, lovers of
Jesus.
Amen and Amen.
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