Ezekiel 15
World English Bible
WEB1Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest? 3Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it? 4Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and the middle of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work? 5Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it has been burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?” 6Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “As the vine wood among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7I will set my face against them. They will go out from the fire, but the fire will still devour them. Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I set my face against them. 8I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,” says the Lord Yahweh.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Ezekiel Chapter 15 presents a vivid metaphor comparing the people of #Israel to a vine. The chapter begins with God asking Ezekiel, "What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?" (Ezekiel 15:2). This rhetorical question sets the stage for a deeper understanding of Israel's role and value in God's plan. The vine, while capable of producing fruit, is ultimately useless if it does not bear grapes. This imagery emphasizes that Israel, like the vine, has a purpose to fulfill in bearing fruit for God’s kingdom. However, the chapter starkly contrasts the potential of the vine with its failure to produce good fruit, symbolizing Israel's disobedience and unfaithfulness to God.
The Lord declares that just as a vine cannot be used for anything significant if it is not fruitful, so too will Israel face judgment for their unfaithfulness. God states, "Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?" (Ezekiel 15:5). This serves as a warning that without repentance and a return to God, the people of Israel will face destruction. The chapter concludes with a reminder that God’s judgment is not arbitrary but is rooted in His desire for His people to be fruitful and faithful. The message is clear: true value comes from obedience to God and bearing the fruit of righteousness in their lives.
In summary, Ezekiel 15 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of spiritual barrenness. It calls the people of #Israel to reflect on their relationship with God and the necessity of producing good fruit in their lives.
Topics in this chapter
- Judgment
- Fruitfulness
- The Vine
- Faithfulness
- Covenant
- Ezekiel
- Jerusalem
- Prophet
- Purpose
- Spiritual Growth
- Unfaithfulness
- Accountability
- Babylonian Exile
- Biblical Art
- Consequences
- Desolation
- Divine Judgment
- Divine Retribution
- Divine Wrath
- Fire
- Fruit of the Spirit
- God
- Holiness
- Israel
- Obedience
- Purification
- Relationship with God
- Sin
- Spiritual Vitality
- Theological Literature
- Topic Connection
- Vineyard
- Wood
Related chapters
- John 15Fruit of the SpiritThe VineVineyard
- Isaiah 5VineyardFruitfulnessUnfaithfulness
- Psalms 80The VineVineyardFruitfulness
- Ezekiel 5FireDivine WrathEzekiel
- Ezekiel 6DesolationDivine WrathUnfaithfulness
- Jeremiah 2The VineVineyardUnfaithfulness
- Ezekiel 14EzekielBabylonian Exile
- Ezekiel 7DesolationDivine WrathEzekiel
- Hosea 10The VineVineyardDivine Wrath
- Ezekiel 19The VineVineyardFruitfulness
- Ezekiel 35DesolationDivine WrathEzekiel
- 2 Chronicles 21FireUnfaithfulnessDivine Retribution
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