Three observations about Isaiah’s "Song of the Vineyard":

1. It was a song. That is to say, it was a marked variation in the prophet’s manner of proclamation. Isaiah was an eloquent, forthright orator, not a balladeer. It has been suggested that the reason for this temporary departure in style may have been the circumstances at that particular time. Deuteronomy 16:13-16 describes the carnival-like atmosphere which occurred in the ancient Feast of Booths. Some commentators have surmised that Isaiah rendered this specific message at such an occasion, in a manner consistent with the mood of the observance. However, there was perhaps another reason for the message being contained in a song.

It has been told that Arkansas’ own Jimmy Driftwood was once a teacher in the public school system. It seems that in the course of his instruction, he was given the unenviable responsibility of teaching American History to an especially rowdy, belligerent group of students who either misbehaved or daydreamed throughout his lectures. Driftwood, a singer and songwriter, decided to undertake an experiment. He set a portion of the history lesson to music and somehow managed to get his maverick charges to sing along with him. "In 1814 we took a little trip, we went with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip." When the song was finished, the class remembered it, continued to sing it throughout the day and days following, and enjoyed having learned about the Battle of New Orleans in a way they could remember. Novel, yes, but the message was clearly conveyed and, just as importantly, remembered. Perhaps there is more significance to Isaiah’s "Song of the Vineyard" than first meets the eye.

2. The Song was a parable. God had planted Israel as a vineyard on a high place. He anticipated a magnificent yield. God had cleared the land of impediments to growth (Canaanites and others), planted premium vines, and set a watchtower over the vineyard. But alas, the harvest turned out to be sour fruit.

3. The song was the basis for Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard. Compare Isaiah’s song of the vineyard with Mark 12:1-12. For both accounts, Jeremiah 2:21 provides a fitting epilogue: "I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?"