Wine and grape vineyards are found throughout the Old and New Testaments. As a part of daily life they are mentioned in both good and bad contexts. We will examine a cross section the of various passages.
Perhaps the most important for our future is in Isaiah 63:1-7:
“Who is this that cometh from Edom [from the east], with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat [winevat]? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.”
This is clearly a description of the Lord’s future second coming. Where he will appear to come from the east [Bozrah, the capitol of Edom, which was east of Judah]. When the Lord comes again the second time, according to Isaiah, he will be dressed all in red [and in Hebrew Edom means red]; Symbolizing that he has taken upon him all of our sins, and paid for them with his own blood [in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the scourging by the Roman soldiers, and on the cross]. The Lord Jesus Christ did this for us alone, and in him is our salvation and redemption. The earth will be placed in God’s order at his coming. By the way, Isaiah was quoted in the New Testament more than all other prophets put together. In addition, the Lord, when he comes again, shall come to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).
The Lord’s first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding celebration at Cana (John 2).
Jesus spoke a parable of comparing the house of Israel to a vineyard (Matthew 21:33-45; see also Mark 12, and Luke 20). Isaiah also compared a vineyard to the house of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-5).
The Lord also said “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, … but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” This was an homily comparing the new gospel teachings to the old Mosaic law.
Bread and wine were used by the Lord at what is known as the Last Supper to institute a new rite or ordinance, that of Communion/Sacrament/Eucharist: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28. In the next verse, 29, it is clear that it was wine in the cup. As in Isaiah 63:1-7 quoted above, the wine represents blood. But in this passage it represents the Savior’s blood that was shed for the world.
In the Old Testament, part of the Nazarite vow was not to eat the fruit of the grapevine, which means grapes, raisins, vinegar, and wine. “He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried,” Numbers 6:1-30. A Nazarite dedicated themselves to God, usually for a specified time period in order to make a request or ask forgiveness of God. However, there are cases where a child was placed under the Nazarite vow as a permanent dedication, Samson and Samuel are examples. In the New Testament, it seems John the Baptist may have been a Nazarite (Luke 1:15).
As part of the Law of Moses, a drink offering of wine was offered on the fire of the altars of both the Tabernacle, and later the Temple (Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:10, and 28:14). The symbolism of the drink offering is 1) just as the wine once poured on the altar cannot be retrieved so the individual shows a total dedication to God, and 2) it adds joy to the individuals dedication: “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.” Psalms 104:15.
Warnings
Lastly, there are many warnings in the Bible about wine use:
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess” Ephesians 5:18.
“… nor drunkards … shall inherit the kingdom of God” 1 Corinthians 6:10.
“Not given to wine…” 1 Timothy 3:3.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.
“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink” Isaiah 5:22.
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Proverbs 21:17.
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