Ezekiel 15
15
Parable of the Worthless Vine
1 # 15:1 In Ezek. 15–17 we find three parables that demonstrate that Jerusalem has no hope of deliverance: the parable of the worthless vine, the parable of the unfaithful wife of Yahweh, and the parable of two eagles and a vine. Yahweh spoke to me, saying: 2“Son of man, how is the wood of the grapevine different than that of other tree branches of the forest? # 15:2 Or “of all the branches of the trees of the forest, what happens to the wood of the grapevine?” The grapevine is a common biblical metaphor for Israel (see Ps. 80:8–19; Isa. 5:1–7). In the New Testament, Jesus describes himself as the true sprouting vine and believers as his branches (see John 15). God is humbling Israel and us with these words. The lowly grapevine is nothing compared to the lofty trees of the land, yet God has shown us his grace and loving favor. 3Can its wood be used for making anything? Can it be used as pegs to hang things on? 4Look, it is good only for building a fire. When fire burns off both ends and the middle is charred, # 15:4 The burned off ends are the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The charred middle is Jerusalem. is it useful for anything? 5Even while it was intact, you could make nothing with it. When it’s burned and charred, it’s even more worthless.”
6So, Lord Yahweh says: “Just like I made the wood of the vine only useful as firewood, so I will treat the people of Jerusalem. 7I will oppose them! They may have escaped one fire, but another fire will yet devour them. # 15:7 The first “fire” refers metaphorically to the first time Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 597 BC. People who survived that invasion were still living in Jerusalem when Ezekiel prophesied. The second “fire” refers to the final destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. When I set my face against them, then you will know that I am Yahweh! 8Because of their unfaithfulness and infidelity, I will reduce the land to a desert. I, Lord Yahweh, have spoken.”
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Ezekiel 15: TPT
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