23 April 2002

Text: Ezekiel 15

THE WORD OF THE LORD

"The Word of the Lord"- Eze. 15:1 (Cf. Eze. 1:3, 3:16;6:1 etc)
Reminders:-
1. The prophet is only the spokesman, and the Lord is the Source

2. The prophet must first obtain, understand and then proclaim the Word of God

THE SYMBOL OF THE VINE

1. The Vine- a symbol of Israel Eze. 15:2 (Cf. Isaiah 5)

2. Comparing the Vine with Trees
a) Wood of the Vine
"Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?" Eze. 15:2

b) Cannot be compared with the wood from trees
"Is wood taken from it to make any object? Or can men make a peg from it to hang any vessel on?" Eze. 15:3

c) The vine by itself is of hardly any use if it does not bear fruit
"Instead, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fir devours both ends of it, and its middle is burned. Is it useful for any work?"

"Indeed, when it is whole, no object could be made from it. How much less will it be useful for any work when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?" Eze. 15:4-5

THE JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL (THE VINE)

1. God will "give up" Israel for judgment
"Therefore thus says the Lord God: '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 inhabitants of Jerusalem." Ezekiel 15:6

2. God will personally mete out the judgment pronounced against Israel
"And I will set My face against them." Ezekiel 15:7

3. There will be no escape
"They will go out from one fire (attempted escape), but another fire shall devour them." Ezekiel 15:7

Reason for this Severe Judgment
"Because they have persisted in unfaithfulness, says the Lord God" Ezekiel 15:8