Thursday 11 December 2025
On that day the Lord with his cruel and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will kill the dragon that is in the sea. On that day: A pleasant vineyard, sing about it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment I water it. I guard it night and day so that no one can harm it. (vs 1-3)
Background
The time will come, Isaiah is saying, when God will completely destroy whatever threatens God’s people, and will guard the people as carefully as a vineyard keeper cares for a precious vineyard.
And what extraordinary imagery Isaiah adopts to make this point! This chapter of Isaiah draws from a famous Ugaritic myth. Ugarit was an important sea port city in what is now northern Syria. ‘Leviathan’ is the Ugaritic name for a mythical sea monster associated with the worship of Baal (a fertility god). Isaiah is using 'Leviathan' as a metaphor for an overwhelmingly powerful enemy such as Babylon. This serpent-like monster represents the forces of chaos. In the Ugaritic texts, Baal kills the monster, but in the Bible, it is God who defeats this evil and fearsome being. Take a look at Job 41 for a vivid description of this creature and its activities. And it would seem that Leviathan had a number of heads (Psalm 74.14)!
But beyond the danger in which the people find themselves, Isaiah says there is the care and nurturing hand of God, the vineyard keeper. Vineyards were, and are, precious to people. Vines need constant care, water and pruning. The image of a vineyard is used throughout the Bible in various ways – as a warning (Isaiah 5) and to teach people about God's kingdom and the relationship between God and God’s people ((Matthew 21 and John 15).
Well aware of the significance of vineyards and their produce for the economy of the nation, Isaiah uses this image to show how God cares for us. He depicts God protecting people from the dangers around them and nurturing them to fruitfulness. Isaiah’s vision holds promise for all – including us…
To Ponder:
- Leviathan is portrayed as a terrible and threatening monster – might there be a Leviathan in your life at the moment? Take a minute to reflect on how God strengthened you in conquering other Leviathans you may have encountered.
Prayer
Loving God, I thank and praise you that you are the faithful and careful vine-cultivator in whose hands I am safe from whatever may threaten me. Amen.
Bible notes author: Gillian Kingston
Gillian Kingston is a local preacher on the North Tipperary Circuit of the Methodist Church in Ireland and an ex-Vice President of the World Methodist Council. She was the first Lay Leader of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland. Married to Tom, a retired Methodist minister, and with four adult children, she is also the besotted grandmother of seven beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson.