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Jacob Chapter 5

This is a long one. Perhaps one of the longest chapters in all of the scriptures. But if we get bogged down in the length of the chapter, if we lose ourselves in the story, if we give ourselves to the concerns of the moment, we may miss the delight that is in these verses, like jewels set in a crown.

One such jewel I would like to mention today comes towards the end of the chapter. The Lord has visited the vineyard several times, each time with varying results. Finally, all seems lost and the Lord seems ready to just tear down the whole thing and start over. The servant is able to suggest that the Lord could save His vineyard if He would take certain steps. These steps the Lord is willing to do, knowing that His vineyard is precious, the roots of the tree are strong, and that if careful effort is applied it may yet bring fruit that is good and desirable.

The difference between this visit and previous visits to the vineyard is that on this occasion the Lord worked with them. Verses 70-72 relate:

70And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent hisaservant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other bservants; and they werecfew.

71And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and alaborin the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the blast time that I shall cnourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

72And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.

The rest of the chapter describes the effect of this work - that they were effective at producing the fruit that was most desirable.

I have often heard it said that two people can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord. I believe that. I also believe that there's a lot of work to be done. And I want to be a part of it.

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