HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

www.godcannotlie.org

Welcome to our website

Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 15

The Biblical symbol of Israel being God's vine is often found in the Bible (Ps.80:8-19; Isa.5:1-7; Jer.2:21; Hos.10:1). These Old Testament references are echoed in the New Testament, where Christ Jesus our LORD appears as the True Vine (Jn.15:1-8). This is a most important revelation in the Bible, for it shows, that as far as the old racial Israel goes, they, as a race, are out of it forever. Jew and Gentile alike are welcome in exactly the same way. No one today, belongs to God as a result of any racial status, and no one is denied a place in God's family upon the basis of race. Whosoever will may come! Whosoever: (Jn.3:15-18; 4:14; 5:24; 6:50,54-58; 11:26; 12:46; Acts 10:43; Rom.9:33; 10:11; 1 Jn.5:1)  
Galatians 3:22-29 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV)

The Jews excelled in privileges, not in nature, but by the free grace and lovingkindness of God. Other nations may have thrived in arts, wealth, population and in warlike courage and other respects, and were like tall lofty trees which grow up and attract all eyes to themselves. But the Jews were like a vine which, being planted by God’s Hand, deserved much more praise than the trees of the forest which bore no fruit. Ezekiel now carries the comparison to a greater length: if the vine is torn up, can its wood, be fitted to any use?

Since the wood of the vine is utterly useless when torn from the soil, and is of no use except to be burned, so too, shall the Jews be made aware with their condition since their merit and worth depended totally upon the good pleasure of the Lord GOD. And since it was He who planted them, He has the right to rip them up in a moment IF He so chooses, and when they have been torn up, they will be totally useless, and will be cast into the fire (Mat.3:10; 7:19; Lk.3:9; Jn.15:6), while trees are of some use. Ezekiel takes another step . . . if a bundle of twigs were cast into the fire, and the two end parts were burnt up, and the middle made dry, that scorched part would be far less useful. Since fire penetrates to the very core, wood which is half consumed, is reduced to powder just by touch alone. He afterwards would back up what he had said about the vine, to the city of Jerusalem. 

Some read this little chapter and miss the point altogether. The vine was suitable only to produce fruit, but many overlook the fact that this particular vine was classed with the trees of the forest (15:2), and not with the noble vines which were always in the vineyard. The vine here represents apostate Israel. This vine is differently described in the versions and translations, as degenerate, wild, corrupt, foreign, strange, etc. The idea is that a totally useless wild vine in the forest, is fit only for fuel, and not very good fuel!
http://judgmentcoming.org/j_c_apostasy.htm
http://worldlychaos.org/w_c_apostasy_in_the_last_days.1.htm
http://www.hisservants.org/Books_apostacy.html

The message of this chapter is clear: Jerusalem was useless either for the production of fruit or anything else and was fit only for burning. This chapter is mainly addressed to overthrow the false idea of the Israelites that God cannot afford to overthrow them because they are the elect of God (Isa.42:1; 45:4; 65:9, 22), and in that importance, they must be favored over other nations.

This parable of the Corrupt Vine (Ch.15) is one of three Chapters, which continues on through Chapter 17, and reveals that there is NO hope of deliverance for Jerusalem. Chapter 15 is the parable of the vine that would not bear fruit. The vine is one of the symbols of the nation Israel. In Isaiah Chapter 5, the vine set before us is the nation Israel. We do not need to guess about that because Isaiah said. Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. (KJV)
If a vine bears fruit, it is valuable . . . but if it is NOT fruitful, it is of NO value and no use to anyone, and so is cast into the fire. Man IS capable of yielding precious fruit, by living for God . . . BUT spiritual blindness grabs hold of those who live in total neglect of God. This likeness is applied to Jerusalem. Let us all beware of an unfruitful profession (hypocrite). Let us come to Christ, and stand firm in Him, and have His Words abide in us.
http://judgmentcoming.org/j_c_apostate_christianity.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_books_me_a_pharisee.html
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_israel_unfruitful.html

Chapter 15 gives us a very brief introduction, of what Chapters 16 & 17 details very thoroughly.

Ezekiel 15:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (KJV)

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying . . . this phrase is found 46 times in Ezekiel and 9 times in Jeremiah. The destruction of Jerusalem had been represented under different types and symbols before, as of a siege, and a sharp razor; and here of a fruitless and useless vine, only fit for the fire.

*****The LORD is still preaching to Israel through His servant Ezekiel. He here will use the likeness of a vine.

Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? (KJV)

Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree. . . the fruit of the vine tree is good, but its wood is of no use: a vine tree . . . IF it bears fruit, it is valuable; but if it does not bear fruit, it is of no account. The people of Israel are often compared to a vine, who, when they brought forth good fruit, were in high regard; but, when they became like an empty and fruitless vine, they were rejected as good for nothing. The Jews were originally no better than others; what they had was owing to the grace and goodness of God; BUT when they degenerated, they were the worst of all people, because they disobeyed and ridiculed their God whom they professed.
Or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? . . . a vine tree that bears fruit is better than a tree of the forest, or than a branch of a vine that is unfruitful, like a wild and barren vine, one in the forest. One single branch of a tree in the forest is of more use and worth than the whole vine tree is, except for its fruit.

*****The image of the vine is grounded on a well-known symbol (Ps.80:8; Isaiah 5). The comparison is not between the vine and other trees, but between the wood of the vine and the wood of other trees.

Ezekiel 15:3 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? (KJV)

Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? . . . the carpenter who builds houses or ships, make beams, rafters, floors and masts from the trees of the forest. A vine tree is never used for such a purpose as this.  
Or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?. . . the wood of a vine tree it is not fit to even make a peg, on which to hang a hat on; much less for anything that requires more strength.

Ezekiel 15:4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work? (KJV)

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel . . . when a vine tree is cut down, or a branch cut off, it is good for nothing else but fuel for the fire, and not very good fuel at that (Jn.15:6). Israel had become like a wild vine, and were fit fuel for the fire of divine wrath.
The fire devoureth both the ends of it . . . when a branch is cast into the fire, it is quickly consumed. Isaiah 9:12  The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (KJV)  . . . It seems only to see how soon the fire takes it; and how certain the consumption is when it is fired at both ends. Both the ends of it . . . the northern kingdom having been already overturned by Assyria under Tiglath-pileser; the south being pressed on by Egypt (2 Ki.23:29-35).
And the midst of it is burnt . . . it being dry, and reduced to a brand (Amos 4:11; Zec.3:2), by the heat of the fire at both ends . . . this seems to indicate the city of Jerusalem, which was in the middle of the land. Midst of it is burnt . . . is on fire; meaning Jerusalem, which had now caught the flame by the attack of Nebuchadnezzar.
Is it meet for any work? . . . the scorched part still remaining was not fit for any work when cut down or cut off, much less when burned in the fire (Jn.15:6).

*****When the vine tree, for its barrenness it is cut down, it is fit only to be burned, and even then, it is not choice fuel, for even a small branch of a tree in the forest is much better, and gives more heat. The vine is quickly consumed, both ends and middle. What other value does it have? None. This is again stressed. The comparison of both ends with the middle is better explained in 15:7. That which is burned at both ends represents those slain in the invasion of Jerusalem. The middle which is also burned represents those who escape, only to face further judgment.

Ezekiel 15:5 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? (KJV)

Behold, when it was whole it was meet for no work . . . before the vine was cut into pieces, and cast into the fire, it was not fit to make so much as a peg to hang anything on; so too Israel, when all together, before the ten tribes were carried captive, or the Jews before the captivity of Jeconiah, were useless and unfruitful, and to every good work a sinner.
How much less shall it be meet yet for any work when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? . . . as its wood is good for nothing before it is burned, its ashes are useless after.    

*****The suggestion here is that, Israel possesses no supremacy over any other nations, just like the vine which possesses no advantage over other woods, but is instead inferior; and also Israel is inferior to other nations in her fruitless condition. When Israel was whole, it was not fit for work: how much less then shall it be fit for any work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?

Ezekiel 15:6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; 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. (KJV)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD . . . now follows the application of the symbol.
As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel . . . the vine tree is to be burnt, as other trees of the forest are, and along with them. That which does not produce fruit, is for the fire. Salt which hath lost the savor is thrown out (Lk.14:34).
So will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem . . . the Lord will allow the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be destroyed along with other nations by the Chaldeans; for they were as bad, or worse. They were like wild vines among forest trees and so must expect no better. This was the decree and condemnation from the LORD, that Ezekiel had to bring to these disrespectful people (Ps.21:9; Isa.1:10; 33:14).            

*****That Holy City had become unprofitable and good for nothing. It HAD been as the vine-tree among the trees of the vineyard, abounding in the fruits of righteousness to the glory of God. But when apostasy set in, the pure worship of God was NOT kept up. It HAD been a joyful vintage, and while it continued so, God made a hedge about it (Isa.5:5; Eze.13:5); it was His pleasant plant (Isa.5:7). He watered it every moment and kept it night and day (Isa.27:3), but it had now become the degenerate plant of a strange vine, of a wild vine (2 Ki. 4:39), a vine-tree among the trees which brought forth wild grapes (Isa.5:4), their grapes are grapes of gallandtheir wine is the poison of dragons (Deut.32:32-33). They have trespassed, they have sinned, they have deceitfully lied to God and disloyally apostatized from Him.

Those who are not fruitful to the glory of God's amazing grace will be fuel to the fire of His righteous wrath! IF anyone does not give honor to the Lord GOD, He will bring dishonor upon them, dishonor that will burn brightly in the flaming fire by which impenitent sinners will be forever consumed. Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) . . . The Almighty Lord GOD will NOT be a Loser in the end, by any of His creatures. BEWARE!!! YOU will be the loser, NEVER the Lord GOD!

Ezekiel 15:7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. (KJV)

And I will set my face against them . . . in His righteous wrath, He will destroy them (Lev.17:10; Eze.14:8), and
They shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them . . . from one calamity to another; those who escape the famine and pestilence in the city fell by the sword; and those that escaped famine, sword and pestilence, were carried into captivity, and there passed from one hardship and affliction to another. From one fire…to another (Isa.24:18). Fire here means every kind of calamity (Ps.66:12). The Jewish fugitives shall escape from the ruin of Jerusalem, only to fall into some other calamity. They will NOT escape!
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them . . . he is known by his judgments to be the Lord GOD omnipotent, holy, just, and true. Know that I am the Lord: (Eze.5:13; 6:7, 14; 7:4; 11:10; 12:15-16, 20; 24:27; 25:11; 26:6; 28:26; 39:28; Ps.9:16-17).

*****The LORD will set His Face against them, to hinder all their counsels . . . just as they had set their faces against the LORD, to contradict Him and His Word and seek to defeat all His plans. It is commanded; the depletion is determined: the LORD will make the land desolate, and they shall go out of one fire, and another fire shall devour them. The end of one judgment shall just be the beginning of another! Their escape from one is only a brief reprieve until another comes! They shall go from misery in their own country to misery in Babylon.

Ezekiel 15:8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

And I will make the land desolate . . . the land will not be cultivated, men and beast being cut off (14:15). The land itself often suffers because of the wickedness of them that dwell there (Ps.107:4). Idolatry is especially a land desolating sin (Ps.106:37-38; Isa.57:5; Jer.7:31; 19:4-7; 32:35; Eze.16:20-21; 20:26, 31; 23:37, 39). Make the land desolate: (6:14; 12:9-20; 14:15-16; 15:8; 19:7; 33:28-29).
Because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD . . . having committed idolatry, they were unfaithful and disloyal, forsaking their belief and trust in God, which was the cause of their ruin. It was not without a cause that the LORD did what He did (14:23). Trespass . . . they had disobediently fallen into a stubborn rebellion (2:3-8). The Jews were not simply sinners as the other nations, they revolted in apostasy. It is one thing to disregard what we do not know, but they despised the God they professed to worship (hypocrites). They have committed a very wicked trespass, they had apostatized and backslidden in a perpetual way, similar to Korah and his partners (Num.16), who did not die common deaths.
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/judgment_day_the_great_white_throne.htm
             
*****Those who kept out of the way of the sword perished by famine or pestilence. When one surge of the Chaldean forces upon them was over, and they thought the worst was over, very soon violence would come again. It would then be that they shall know that I am the Lord GOD, a GOD of mighty power, when I set my face against them (15:7). God shows Himself to be the LORD, by perfecting the destruction of His cruel enemies, as well as the judgments of His disobedient people. Those whom God sets His Face against, though they may come out of one trouble shall qiuckly fall into another . . . and although they come out of the pit, they will be taken in the snare (Isa.24:18); and even though they escape the sword of Hazael, they will fall by that of Jehu (1 Ki.19:17), because EVIL pursues sinners. Even though they may escape the fire of temporal judgments, and SEEM to die in peace, yet there is an everlasting fire (Isa.33:14; Mat.18:8; 25:41), waiting to devour them on Judgment Day. When God judges, He will overcome, and He will be known by the judgments which He executes (Mat.3:10; Jn.15:6) . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.judgmentcoming.org/judgment_day.htm

Something that we all should consider: our precious LORD JESUS called Himself the Vine.
John 15:1-6 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV)
http://www.godcannotlie.org/john_commentary_ch15.html
Who can read the above Passage and not consider the wonderful Truth in Jesus calling Himself the Vine, without connecting with it His people's eternal safety, in Him alone! (Jn.3:15-18, 36; 8:24; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Jn.5:10-13).
Dear one, Almighty God the Father, hand planted that very Special VINE, Christ Jesus! And He has NO intention of ripping Him up from His place! IF we believe GOD (1 Jn.5:10-13), and accept what His only begotten Son did on the cross for us, we have a reserved inheritance waiting for us in Heaven (1 Pet.1:4).  
Only begotten Son of God: (Jn.1:13, 18; 3:16,18; Heb.11:17; 1 Jn.4:9).

Am I being too daring to say that I am going to Heaven? NO! I am not. The Bible tells us that we can know! And I believe it! John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)  
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (KJV)  
Once we BELIEVE, we have eternal life NOW! John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)  . . . Also see: (Jn.6:40, 47; 8:51; 11:26; 12:44). We have eternal life NOW!!!

Special Comments

God makes a very interesting application here in this Chapter! WHAT is the purpose of a vine? It is to do one thing . . . bear fruit . . . nothing else. God says, IF a vine does not produce fruit, the only thing it is good for is to be burned. In John Chapter 15, the LORD JESUS said that IF a believer does not bear fruit, they are removed from the place of fruit bearing. God sets people aside in many, many ways if they do not bear fruit. The LORD JESUS said, Herein, is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit . . . (Jn.15:8).
http://www.godcannotlie.org/john_commentary_ch15.html

The people of Israel were NOT bearing fruit to the glory of Almighty GOD, and God’s Holy and righteous wrath set in. The people of Israel were supposed to represent their God, but they failed to do so. That is the WHY He did what He did! He destroyed their Holy City, Jerusalem and their entire land became desolate!

If you have been given a great privilege as a Christian today, to honor and glorify the One and Only Lord GOD of this Universe, you have a great responsibility. Are YOU being fruitful? There are many who have not had the privilege of hearing the Word of God . . . and we who have heard His Word have a great responsibility of getting the TRUTH to those who need to hear it. God wants us all to bear fruit to His glory today. Do it!

Lesson from Ezekiel

So many rebellious ones, disagree,
With the Lord GOD, Who rules eternity.
To warn of sin, Ezekiel did his best,
But the Jews would not, put their sin to rest!

God’s prophet did, as the LORD did command,
Not once did he ever, make a demand.
He did always, the Glorious God obey,
He never did think, of another way!

The Book of Ezekiel, clearly does teach,
A lesson, all our hearts and minds, should reach.
There’s only One God, the Almighty LORD,
And we must believe, His prophesied Word!

To watch and to warn, ready we must be,
As we see all around us, iniquity.
We must be a watchman, and warn of God’s wrath,
Warn sinners to get on, the narrow path.

God told the prophet, to do some strange things,
Most of which, to him ridicule did bring.
The rebellious people, would not believe,
And the Truth of God, they would not receive!

Because of the people’s iniquity,
God removed the Presence, of His Glory.
God’s Glory, from the Temple did depart,
Because of sin lodged, in the people’s hearts.

Upon sinners, God’s fury shall rest,
Their transgressions, cannot stand His test! 
I am the LORD, this Truth they shall know,
For He is in charge, of Hell below!

A lesson we should learn, from this grand Book,
If we’d just open it, and take a look.
If we are rebellious, and disobey,
God’s wrath will fall, there’s no other way!
*****************************
By:  His servant, Connie Kramer   Sept.30, 2017 #1403
Rebellious people: (2:3-8); Eating a roll: (3:2-3). Lying on his left side, then the right side for a number of days (4:4-6). Terrible idolatry, women weeping for Tammuz: (8:8-18). Glory of the LORD departed from the Temple: (Ch.10). Digging through the wall, and carrying his stuff on his shoulder: (Ch.12). Much trouble with false prophets and prophetesses: (Ch.13). Much trouble with idolatry: (14). Israel as a corrupt vine: (Ch.15). Israel as an adulteress: (Ch.16). Know that I am the Lord: (5:13; 6:7, 13; 7:4, 9, 27; 11:10, 12; 12:15-16, 20; 13:9, 14; 21; 14:8; 15:7; 16:62; 20:12, 20, 26, 38, 42, 44; 22:16; 23:49;24:24; 25:5,7,11;17;  26:6; 28:22-24,26; 29:6, 9,16,21; 30:8, 19, 25-26; 32:15; 33:29; 34:27, 30; 35:4,9,12,15; 36:11,23,38; 37:6,13; 38:23; 39:6-7, 22,28)
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. (KJV) Watchman: (33:2, 6-7) Are YOU a watchman for the LORD? Or are you listening to false teachers’ damnable heresies (2 Pet.2:1) that can lead you only to the lake of fire? (Rev20:15) http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_it_there.htm

Book of Ezekiel

Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page