Title: The Fruitless Vine (Ezekiel 15:1-8)
Contents The fig tree and vine are representative among the fruit trees in the real Jewish nation introduced in the Bible, and they often symbolize the nation of Israel and are also applied to teaching (Psalm 80:8).
1. Parable of the unprofitable vine 1-5 There are many places where the nation of Israel is compared to the most precious fruit, a vine (Isa 5:, Hos 10:1, Jer 2:21). it's a tie The superiority of the vine is that it bears fruit well. The tree itself is worthless. only to bear fruit. In general, the use of trees is that they are used as building materials or materials for manufacturing tools, but pines, cedars, and cedars are straight and hardened and are often used as pillars for construction or are also used as boards. The vine has no application value because it is soft and meandering as it stretches into a low vine. If there is, it is of no use except as wood that is burned after it dries.
It is a useless material that even nails cannot make. There is nothing better than the people of other nations in that the people of Israel are human. Ezekiel sanctions Israel's pride with these words. Israelis are sinners just like Gentiles before God. No, it could be a worse sinner. “If fire burns both ends and burns in the middle…” means that Israel, the northern nation, was taken captive by Assyria, Judah in the south was oppressed by Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar in the middle (Jerusalem) was invaded. Originally, Israel did not have good conditions for establishing the kingdom of this world, and Israel, which suffered the wrath of war (burned) on it, became even more useless. Jesus said, “If my branch (vine) does not bear fruit, the Father cut it down (John 15:2).
2. The unprofitable inhabitants of Jerusalem 6-8 The unfruitful vine is burned up. This is a prophecy that God will punish Israel again by the hand of Babylon, and actually sends out the Babylonian army as an invader. “Even if they come out of the fire, the fire will devour them.” That is, when God punishes the people of Judah, there will be no escape for them. Even if they flee from the fire and come out of the fire, the fire will chase them and consume them. Prophet Amos said: “It is as if a man escapes from a lion and finds a bear or is bitten by a snake” (Amos 5:19). If they had known, served, and obeyed the Lord, they would have been saved. However, when they failed to do so, it was already too late when they finally recognized the Lord (Rev 1:7). "I will make the land desolate, all because of their transgression." God's desolation of the land is extremely tragic. Those who see it should be reminded that the sin of the nation of Israel, which was its cause, was so utterly miserable.
Indeed, they transgressed. By betraying God, Israel broke the covenant relationship with God. This is a great sin that cannot be done any more.
Conclusion: The devastation of this iniquity can only be marked by the desolation of the land. This sin is what makes you enter the emptiness of life.