When
God speaks to Moses at the burning bush, God has more than escape in mind. Not
only is Moses called to set the people free from slavery in Egypt, he is also to
lead them to the “promised land” – “a good and broad land, a land that’s full
of milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Pharaoh makes the release as difficult on the
Israelites as he can, and the journey across the desert is marred by complaints
and questions about Moses’ competence; but after a couple of years and a couple
of months they are poised to enter the land of Canaan.
God
speaks to Moses again. This time God tells Moses to select a man from each of
the twelve tribes to explore the land and bring back a report. Moses gives them
thorough instructions, concluding with an interesting request: “bring back the
land’s fruit” (Numbers 13:20).
They
explored the area for forty days. While they were there they cut down a branch
with one cluster of grapes that was so big that two men carried it on a pole
between them. When they got back they showed everyone the fruit and gave their
report: “We entered the land to which you sent us. It’s actually full of milk
and honey, and this is its fruit” (Numbers 13:27). This fruit of the vine was
not only clear evidence of the fertility of the land, but also of God’s
faithfulness to his promises. It should have been an occasion for celebration.
Years
later the Psalmist imagines the people of Israel as a vine God brought out of
Egypt and planted in a place especially prepared for it. Isaiah compares God to
a man who planted a vine in a protected vineyard expecting it to produce fine
grapes; plainly saying, “Indeed Israel is the vineyard of the LORD” (cf.
5:1-8). Jeremiah delivers this message from God to Judah: “I planted you in the
land like a special vine of the very best stock” (2:21).
So
when Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches;” he is connecting his
ministry to the history of God’s covenant people. He is also warning them not
to repeat the mistakes of those who had gone before. “My Father is glorified
when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples”
(John 15:8).
May
people be delighted and amazed by the fruit they find among us.
