Gleaning Grapes
“Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, like the shaking of an olive tree.” Isaiah 17:6a.
Sin and disobedience of Judah resulted in severe punishment from God. Isaiah predicts of that day when, “the glory of Jacob will wane, and the fatness of his flesh grow lean”. V. 4. Then he continues “yet gleaning grapes will be left in it…..Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in its most fruitful branches”
This shows the longsuffering of God. He always keeps a remnant. God is never in a hurry to punish, even when He punishes He does show mercy. He will never utterly destroy His people. He makes it sure that a small company of His people remains faithful to Him.
In other words those who stay loyal to God are always very few. Thou they are a minority, the Lord is pleased in them and will accomplish His purposes through them. Because, they chose to follow Him when the majority chose the other way.
Man always counts according to the number and gives value to the majority. God counts the faithful, even if they are few. Through out history we see this: majority goes astray and a small remnant stands for God.
Where are you standing today? Are you with the majority who forsaking God and His word, or with the minority being faithful to Him?
At the same time this small company of God’s people should not forget that it is God who graciously intervened in our lives and helped us to be close to Him. Praise God, everything is by grace. By grace we stand.
