Word of Encouragement (02/09/2023)
I would have said, "I will cut them to pieces; I will wipe them from human memory," 27 had I not feared provocation by the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand, lest they should say, "Our hand is triumphant, it was not the LORD who did all this."' 28 "For they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. 29 If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end! 30 How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves. 32 For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter; 33 their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps. (Deut. 32:26-33)
It may not seem clear whom God had in mind in these verses. Was God still speaking of Israel? That is possible: in prophetic literature, Israel in her sinfulness was likened to Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa. 1:9, 10). She was also likened to a vine (Isa. 5). But in these verses, it is more likely that God was speaking of the Gentiles, especially their gods. This is because, in the following verses, God would speak of executing vengeance against the Gentile nations that afflicted Israel and thus vindicate Israel (vv. 35-36).
In biblical literature, Sodom and Gomorrah represented the height of human wickedness: their wickedness great before the LORD (Gen. 19:13; 18:20). In today’s passage, Sodom and Gomorrah are elevated as the source of evil and wickedness: “their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah.” Do you see the thoroughness of their wickedness? Their vine is the vine of Sodom and, as such, is wicked in its nature. Not only that, their vine was cultivated in the fields of Gomorrah—that is, its wickedness was further nurtured by its wicked environment! Consider children. As adorable as they are and as innocent as they seem, they gravitate toward what is evil much more easily and readily than what is good. We know how difficult it is to cultivate good habits in them, but they pick up bad habits as a magnet draws metal objects. We can imagine what would happen if they were placed in a toxic environment.
We can only imagine what kind of fruit the vine of Sodom cultivated in the fields of Gomorrah would produce: “their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter; their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.” As Jesus said, a tree is known by its fruit. It is no surprise that the vine of Sodom produces poisonous grapes: they are as deadly as they are bitter. In Gal. 5:19-21, Paul lists “the works of the flesh”: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Paul warned that those who produce such works/fruits cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
This can be applied to pagan idols, too. These grapes are likened to “the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.” These descriptions are suggestive of the crafty serpent, which tempted Eve and caused the Fall. The Hebrew word for “serpents” often refers to sea monsters and even sea dragons. These words were used to refer to Satan. Oh, how bitter and poisonous were the “grapes” that Satan offered to Adam and Eve and all their descendants! Likewise, those who worship idols do not receive pure joy and lasting satisfaction in their souls; these idols have nothing but bitter, poisonous grapes to offer their foolish worshippers. Of course, we can find “virtuous” people among unbelievers. But the true poison of these bitter grapes is not some obvious manifestations of immorality; rather, it is what keeps them away from God, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These await God's vengeance (v. 34).
But in Jesus Christ, we have the true Vine. He is the Vine from heaven, cultivated in the fields of the Father's love, righteousness, and holiness. His fruit gives life and pure delight for all eternity. If we are grafted to Him and abide in Him by faith, we can bear the fruit of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). A life that produces such things is beautiful and worthy. And these things testify that those who bear them have already inherited the kingdom of God. May the Lord increase the fruit of the Spirit in our lives to His glory, to the benefit of others, and to our delight!