UNROLL
The edge of an oak forest in clear morning light, and lying on a low stone terrace wall in front of the tall trunks one long, dry, twisted grapevine branch with no leaves or fruit.

False hopes

Ezekiel 15

What were you made to bear?

8 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

Where we are

  1. 1–3Visions of gloryBy the Kebar, about 593 BC: the throne, the scroll, the watchman
  2. 4–7Signs of the siegeA brick, a ration, a razor: the end has come
  3. 8–11The glory departsAbout 592 BC: the temple’s abominations, the mark, the glory goes east
  4. 12–15False hopesExile acted out, false prophets, a useless vineChapter 15
  5. 16–19Parables and lamentsAn unfaithful bride, two eagles, the one who sins
  6. 20–24The sword drawnRebellion retold; the siege begins, about 588 BC
  7. 25–32The nations judgedAmmon to Egypt: the LORD is Judge of all the earth
  8. 33–36A new heartThe city falls; the Good Shepherd; cleansed and made new
  9. 37–39Dry bones liveOne people raised up, and Gog of Magog defeated
  10. 40–48The LORD is thereAbout 573 BC: the new temple, the river, the land

Jerusalem the Useless Vine

God

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?

Ezekiel 15:1–2

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

God
Close on the plastered wall of a Judean house: a row of straight hardwood pegs holding a clay jug, a ladle and a coil of rope, and on the floor below a crooked length of vine wood.

Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils?

God
Close at dusk on a cooking fire of three stones: a length of vine wood laid across the coals, both ends burned to glowing ash and the middle blackened and split.

No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?

God

Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!

Question

Quick question

Look again at the LORD’s question about the wood of the vine.

What is vine wood good for once it bears no fruit?

God
Evening beside a domed clay bread oven in a Judean courtyard: a bundle of pruned vine canes tied with cord and stacked by the oven mouth as fuel, glowing coals inside, a split oak log set apart.

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the people of Jerusalem.

God

And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them.

God

And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.

God
A terraced hillside vineyard abandoned: low stone walls tumbling, dead vines black and leafless, patches of gray ash and weeds, an empty stone watchtower, a pale empty sky above.

Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

0:07

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

Pray

Lord, You made me to bear fruit for You. Keep me in the true Vine, Jesus, for apart from Him I can do nothing. Amen.

You’ve experienced

Ezekiel 15

0 of 48 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?

Ezekiel 15:2

or swipe left