previous next

Ezekiel 15

Used as Fuel for the Fire

1-3 God's Message came to me: "Son of man, how would you compare the wood of a vine with the branches of any tree you'd find in the forest? Is vine wood ever used to make anything? Is it used to make pegs to hang things from?

4  "I don't think so. At best it's good for fuel. Look at it: A flimsy piece of vine, thrown in the fire and then rescued—the ends burned off and the middle charred. Now is it good for anything?

5  "Hardly. When it was whole it wasn't good for anything. Half-burned is no improvement. What's it good for?

6-8  "So here's the Message of God, the Master: Like the wood of the vine I selected from among the trees of the forest and used as fuel for the fire, just so I'll treat those who live in Jerusalem. I am dead set against them. Even though at one time they got out of the fire charred, the fire's going to burn them up. When I take my stand against them, you'll realize that I am God. I'll turn this country into a wilderness because they've been faithless." Decree of God, the Master.

Ezekiel 15

1 And the word of Jehovah came unto 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?3 Shall wood be taken thereof to make any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire hath devoured both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned: is it profitable for any work?5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work!6 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: As the vine-tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the fire, but the fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I set my face against them.8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord Jehovah.