Jesus Singing Isaiah’s Song – Matthew 21:33-43

In Isaiah 5 the Old Testament prophet sings a song of a vineyard which is figuratively “the house of Israel” (see verse 7).  In Matthew 21, Jesus picks up Isaiah’s song and tells a parable which is a miniature account of this world and especially the Jews who have been unwilling to give God that which is due Him – adoration, honour, praise and obedience.  God has sent many of His servants (the prophets) to call this world back to Himself.  Finally, God sends His Son.  Jesus tells this parable as He is within a few days of being the One who would be plotted against, thrown out of Jerusalem and killed.  But in spite of the designs of man, God, the landowner, has the last word of judgement.  Isaiah had also recorded (see 55:8-9) God saying “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”  Jesus here quotes from Psalm 118:22-23 again showing that God continues to do the most marvellous things even when this world sees something to be cast away.