I guard it night and day so that none can damage it; I have no wrath against it. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them, I would burn them completely together, establishing God's perfect goodwill toward the redeemed vineyard and the willingness to destroy any opposition to it. The assertion of no wrath against the vineyard suggests the complete reconciliation that salvation accomplishes. The hypothetical—if only there were enemies to destroy—expresses God's protective stance: any who threaten the vineyard would immediately encounter God's judgment. The burning of thorns suggests the destruction of obstacles and hindrances. This verse emphasizes that salvation includes not merely the ending of God's judgment against the redeemed but the active opposition of God to any threat against them.

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