Right Is Left and Left Is Right

Is there ever a time when you discover you have had a long standing opinion regarding something only to find you had it backwards? An example is what is a Jonquil and what is a Daffodil. I have a degree in horticulture and had to change my opinion regarding which is what. Not having studied horticulture in a long time there may have been a time I had them right only now to discover I have had them backwards.

Jonquils have smaller stems with more than one flower per stem. The plants are usually smaller and the flowers have a stronger fragrance.

Daffodils are usually larger plants and flowers with one flower per stem. Their blossoms normally have a more trumpet shaped corona than do Jonquils. They are more popular than Jonquils and are more often called a Jonquil.

The misunderstanding is so common some cities are noted as being named for one with the flower of the other actually being grown in their area.

Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they are technically different.

In our society there is often a moral, spiritual, and theological reversal of what is right or wrong.

The prophet Isaiah wrote of the corruption in his society. He wrote a parable using a vineyard to illustrate the mixed-up saying: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5: 20, 21)

The vineyard, that is the people, illustrated by it had many advantages they were at risk of losing. The vineyard belonged to a loving person (my Well-beloved). It was planted on a very fruitful hill. The ground was carefully prepared (dug it up and cleared out its stones). It was planted with good stock (planted it with the choicest vine). It was protected (a tower in its midst). Provision was made for the fruit to be processed (made a winepress in it).

In the parable the “beloved” is God. The “one I love” is the people.

Isaiah wrote of the impending judgment on such a society. “And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it” (Isaiah 5: 5, 6).

Isaiah’s powerful words about social justice would be hard for some of our privileged people to hear and his equally powerful words about God’s judgment upon sin would be hard for some social justice folks to hear. 

The only way for the vineyard people to avoid the judgment they have inflicted on themselves is to repent, and thus avoid the “Woe.”