Isaiah 27:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;

NIV: I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.

NASB: I, the Lord, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day.

CSB: I am the Lord, who watches over it to water it regularly. So that no one disturbs it, I watch over it night and day.

NLT: I, the Lord, will watch over it, watering it carefully. Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it.

KJV: I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

NKJV: I, the Lord, keep it, I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day.

Isaiah's depiction of a vineyard contrasts with an earlier song (Isaiah 5:1–7). In both, the Lord is the keeper, and the vineyard is Israel and Judah. The song of Isaiah 5 described how God carefully cultivated Israel before intentionally allowing it to be destroyed. This was due to Israel's injustice against the poor and powerless, as well as the outcry against His people's unrighteousness.

Now, Isaiah speaks about a time when all things will have been made right. This is set during the Lord's reign as king over Israel and the world. The song is of a vineyard restored. Since the Lord identifies Himself in the first person, the implication is that He is the singer of the song. He celebrates His vineyard Israel.

In the first song, the Lord commanded the clouds not to rain on the vineyard (Isaiah 5:6). Now He declares that He waters the vineyard every moment. All the necessary water is supplied by Him at the perfect time. In the first song, the Lord intentionally removed protection so animal invaders could eat and trample the grapes (Isaiah 5:5). Now the Lord says that He protects the vineyard night and day to keep anyone from harming or punishing it.

What has changed? During the Messiah's reign on earth, Israel will not worship other gods or practice injustice against the poor. The Lord will be with His people and will restore them. They will be faithful to Him and receive His blessings with gratitude.

Isaiah 27:2–6 describes the restoration and redemption of Israel in the end times by the Lord. Isaiah pictures Israel in song as a pleasant vineyard tended and fully provided for. Her fruit will fill the world. God prefers that those within this vineyard who still oppose Him would repent, rather than being destroyed.

This passage often uses the phrase "in that day" referring to the end times when the Lord reigns on earth as king. Then, the Israelites will be fully restored. Their "fruit" will fill the world. The nations God used as tools to judge His people will themselves be judged, but much more harshly. Defeats will happen in the meantime, but the Lord will only measure out enough discipline to trigger Israel's repentance. There will be no compassion for those who refuse to repent. He will bring all His people home to worship Him in Jerusalem in the end.

Isaiah 27 completes a section (Isaiah 24—27) about the time when the Lord will make all things right. That description begins with the Lord's judgment of the earth (Isaiah 24:1) and ends with the redemption and restoration of Israel (Isaiah 27:6). The nations God used to judge Israel will themselves be judged. The next section of Isaiah focuses on God's scathing words for those who opposed Him, including the failed leaders of Israel and Judah.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).