Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

Ezekiel 15 begins a series of three parables or extended metaphors. 

This first parable sheds further light on why God’s judgment came against Jerusalem. In the Old Testament Israel is often compared to a vine (e.g. Ps. 80:8– 16; Jer. 2:21). This parable describes the uselessness of the wood of a vine (vv. 1–5), especially after it has been pruned (vv. 2–4). The wood of the vine is so soft it cannot even be used to make pegs to hang things on (v. 3). When it has been used as firewood it is even more useless (v. 5). Once burned, it will go back into the fire again (v. 7; cf. 5:4). This parable illustrates Jerusalem’s situation (vv. 6–8). God will judge those within Jerusalem because, like the wood of the vine, they are useless. All that is left for them is the fire of God’s judgment (v. 6). 

The reason for judgment is explained at the end of the chapter. As the Lord says through the prophet, it is because Jerusalem has ‘been unfaithful’ (v. 8). That is the people have turned away from God, especially by seeking after and trusting idols. Since they have done this, they are no longer different from the nations, and so they are useless. They no longer reflect God’s character to the nations. Although the fire of God’s judgment also has a purifying effect elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g. Isa. 1:25; Mal. 3:2–3), it does not here. God’s fire is only for destructive purposes. Historically the fire of God’s judgment came by the hand of the Babylonians in 597 BC (with the ‘first burning’) then 586 BC (the ‘second burning’). 

In short, Jerusalem is only fit for the fire of God’s judgment – once and then again – because their faithlessness has made them useless. 

Reflection

Israel’s failure or worthlessness as a vine in the Old Testament looks forward to Jesus, the true vine, and the true Israel (John 15:1). We are to abide in Him and bear fruit, or else we too are only fit for pruning and burning (John 15:4–6).