Israel as the Vine of Egypt in Midrash Shmuel

"You plucked up a vine from Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it" (Psalms 80:9). Just as this vine is not planted in a jumble but rows upon rows, so too Israel encamp only in banners upon banners. Just as this vine — they clear beneath it and afterward plant it, so "You drove out nations and planted it." Just as this vine — its watchman [stands] above it, so too [Israel, their Watchman stands above them and guards them], as it is said, "Behold, He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalms 121:4). Just as this vine — one shoot rises from it and it subdues all the trees, so too Israel — one righteous one arises from them and his name goes from one end of the world to its other end: "And the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land" (Joshua 6:27). Just as this vine has in it wine and has in it vinegar — this requires a blessing and this requires a blessing — so too Israel: over the measure of good, "Blessed is the Good and the Doer-of-good"; over another measure, "Blessed is the true Judge." Just as this vine has in it wine and has in it vinegar, has in it grapes and has in it raisins, so too Israel: there are among them [masters of] Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, and Aggadot. Just as this vine — whoever eats from it unripe fruit, his teeth are set on edge by it, so too whoever comes and joins in conflict with Israel, in the end he receives what is his at their hands: Pharaoh came and fought with Israel and received what was his at their hands; thirty-one kings made war with Israel and they all fell. Just as this vine — the leaves cover over the clusters, so too the common folk cover over the sons of Torah. Just as this vine has in it large clusters and small ones, and every cluster that is greater than its fellow is lower than it, so too whoever is greater than his fellow is lower than him. Just as this vine — whoever eats from it and drinks of its wine, his face shines, so too "A man's wisdom makes his face shine" (Ecclesiastes 8:1) — at the hour when he is asked and answers; "and the boldness of his face is changed" (ibid.) — at the hour when he is asked and does not answer. Just as this vine is at first trodden by the foot and afterward they raise it onto the tables of kings, so too Israel: in this world, "The LORD has commanded concerning Jacob that his adversaries should be round about him" (Lamentations 1:17) — such as Halamish to Naveh, Susita to Tiberias, and Qatzra to Haifa; but in the time to come, "And kings shall be your foster fathers" (Isaiah 49:23). Just as this vine — they support it upon reeds and it lives, so too Israel live only by the merit of the Torah, which is written upon a reed. Just as this vine — they support it upon dry wood and it lives, so too Israel live only by the merit of their fathers, even though they are dead; [therefore it is written], "Then will I remember My covenant with Jacob" (Leviticus 26:42). After all this praise, He showed him its loss and said, "Why have You broken down its hedges?" (Psalms 80:13) — like this fig tree that stands at the parting of the ways, which whoever wishes despoils. "The boar out of the wood ravages it" (ibid.) — this is the wicked Esau; "and that which moves in the field feeds on it" (ibid.) — these are the kingdoms. "O God of hosts, return, we pray... and be mindful of this vine" (ibid. v. 15). Rabbi Menachma and Rabbi Nachman of Yafo in the name of Rabbi Yaakov of Caesarea: be mindful of what You said to Sarah — "And the LORD remembered Sarah" (Genesis 21:1). "And the stock which Your right hand planted" (Psalms ibid.) — by what merit does the world stand? Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: by the merit of the kings of the house of David, [as it is said], "who has established me" (1 Kings 2:24). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: by the merit of the Torah, which is set firm in the Ark. And the Rabbis say: by the merit of Israel, [as you say], "And You established for Yourself Your people Israel" (2 Samuel 7:24). "Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand" (Psalms ibid.) — this is Abraham; "upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself" (ibid.) — this is Isaac; "and we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name" — this is Jacob. Another interpretation: "and we will not turn back," as it is said, "For the LORD will not forsake His people for His great name's sake" (1 Samuel 12:22).