FRAMEWORKS:
Ezekiel 15: Jerusalem
as a useless vine
[Preliminary
Comment: This short prophecy uses the concept, found
elsewhere, of Israel being portrayed as a vine and asks Israel
to consider the use of wood generally. Other trees can be used
to make things [v.3] but if burnt on a fire becomes useful for
nothing [v.4]. But supposing a wood [such as the vine] wasn't
useful for even making anything [as the vine wasn't], how much
less use would it become if it were burnt [v.5]. This is what
the Lord is intending for the people of Israel [v.6] who, in the
past, have been portrayed as a fruitful vine. When they are burnt
in the coming fire, there won't be anything left [v.7] and this
will all be because of their unfaithfulness. [v.8] Israel is not
indestructible as some of the people think. This is a severe warning
to face the coming reality.]
v.1
The word of
the Lord came to me:
v.2
‘Son
of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch
from any of the trees in the forest?
v.3
Is
wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make
pegs from it to hang things on?
v.4
And
after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both
ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?
v.5
If
it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less
can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned
it and it is charred?
v.6
‘Therefore
this is what the Sovereign Lord says: as I have given the wood
of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire,
so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.
v.7
I
will set my face against them. Although they have come out of
the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face
against them, you will know that I am the Lord.
v.8
I
will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful,
declares the Sovereign Lord.'
[Note:
The
chapter being so short, we will add nothing to the introductory
comments.]
Continue
to Chapter 16