For nearly as long as there have been people, we have cultivated and used grapes. The ancient Code of Hammurabi even includes tips on growing them. The first mention of vineyard in the Bible is in Genesis. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and made wine, and in the Bible, the mention of a vine painted a picture of home and comfort.
Throughout history, the march of civilization carried viticulture with it. When people and nations began to move and trade (and conquer), their favored wines and grapes went with them. And when Europeans came to America, they tried to bring their own grapes - even though there were so many varieties here that the Norse called the part they saw "Vinland." Trouble is, European vines - notably French ones - didn't survive here. They would start well, but before long they would just wither and die.
Time passed, and in the 1850's, it is believed that the reason for their failure stowed away on a steamship to France, a little bug called "phylloxera", a sort of aphid which attacked the roots and poisoned the vines. By 1863, what became known as the Great French Wine Blight was in full swing, affecting up to 40% of the harvest. No pesticide seemed to have any effect, and it appeared that the French wine industry was doomed.
Obviously, there are still snooty Frenchmen getting people drunk and convincing them to eat snails and wear berets, so someone found a solution. It seems that this native American bug did not harm the native American vines, so all they had to do was (swallow their pride and) plant the American rootstock, then graft on to it the favored French branches. The only reason that we have high-priced hoity-toity French wines today is because of American vines. You know that has to sting - which is why you probably never knew about it until now!
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
French wines and grapes have been world renowned for quite some time. The combination of climate, soils, dedication, and varieties have made them elite, but it comes back to the Vine. Without that living rootstock, it would all just be a memory. Branches on the native vine are doomed, but transplanted onto the Living Vine, they not only have life, they have abundance.
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:6
If you've never been grafted on to the Living Vine - Jesus - you are on the doomed, dying vine of this world system. The Good News is the Vinedresser is not only able but willing to graft you in and pour the life of Christ through you. Choose life that you might live!
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
