The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. Gen. 49:10-11
The blood of grapes is Wine – a produce and product of the Vine.
Wine is derived from grapes at the Winepress: vats into which succulent and luscious grapes are bruised to extract the juice. It is the juice extracted from the grapes that translate to the exhilarating and tasteful drink described as Wine.
It must be noted that because a drink is Wine does not necessary make it alcoholic. Wine is the extract of the Vine grapes. It is the further process of this “Wine” through the process of fermentation that turns the Wine to alcoholic Wine. Fermentation is a chemical process by which the sugar in the grapes is converted to ethanol (a member of the Alcohol family) by the introduction a bacteria activities as yeast to agitate the grape sugar. The solemn and important notice here is that Grapes are innocent of what they are turned into by the breakdown of its components to produce alcohol. It is the desire and taste for alcohol that turns the sweetness of the grapes to the spurious taste of Alcohol.
When Lord Jesus would introduce Himself, He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” (John 15:1) It is important that we contemplate and note the content of that statement. He is not derived from the Vine, He is the Vine, Jesus said and God is the Vinedresser. It is important to note therefore the product of the Vine – Grapes. These grapes are the fruits of the Vine and the ingredients for Wine, the delectable and luscious blood of grapes.
Grapes are typically representative of Blessings. The produce of grapes is a mark of rich blessing and its product of Wine used to mark blessed and joyful occasions. The Bible says of Grapes, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing and benefit in it,’ So I will do for the sake of My servants In order not to destroy all of them.” (Isaiah 65:8 NIV) Bible says, “…there is a blessing and benefit in cluster of grapes” Praise the Lord.
Beloved, as followers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are now partakers of that good olive, a branch of the True Vine and a partaker of its life and content. Jesus said of us,” Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. 5 [b]I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5 AMP) We are now part of the Blessed Vine and as its branch a fruitful bough upon which are derivable rich blessings.
This is our new nature and life – a blessed people and a fruitful branch upon whom are manifold blessings and from whom gracious blessing flow. As Wine is derived from grapes, so are goodness and blessings are derived from our lives as a branch of the TRUE VINE. Praise the Lord.
