Jerusalem a Useless Vine

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 15:1-8

 

Ezekiel 15:6

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 have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

(ESV)

 

In Jesus’ last words, He gave the Church a mission to spread the Gospel or evangelize people (Mark 16:15), and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). There are four E’s to follow in discipling people, evangelizing, equipping, encouraging, and empowering by the Holy Spirit. However, if the Church becomes self-absorbed with its wealth believing they needed nothing, including God it cannot carry out its mission (Revelation 3:14-22). The Church must return to its mission from God or risk becoming a useless vine like Jerusalem before the exile.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that is directed to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 15:1,6). The word begins with the Lord asking how the wood of the vine can be better than any other wood among the trees of the forest (Ezekiel 15:2). The Lord continues by asking if anything is made of its wood or if the wood is strong enough to hang a vessel on it (Ezekiel 15:3). The answer to these questions is no with the wood of the vine only good as fuel for the fire where it is consumed (Ezekiel 15:4). Even when the vine is whole, the wood is useless for making anything and even more useless once it is consumed by a fire and burned (Ezekiel 15:5).

 

The Lord then says that the inhabitants of Jerusalem are like the wood of the vine which the Lord has given as fuel for the fire (Ezekiel 15:6). The Lord has set His face against the inhabitants of Jerusalem with them coming out of one fire but going into another fire due to not heeding the warnings of the prophets sent to them (Ezekiel 15:7). Therefore, God will make the land desolate due to their persistent unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 15:8).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that visually illustrates the spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel. Vineyards are common in the land of Israel, so the Lord chooses the image of a dried piece of wood from a vine that is only useful as fuel for a fire (Ezekiel 15:4). By comparing Israel to a dried-up piece of wood from a vine, the Lord is telling the people the only purpose they have is fuel for the fire of the wrath of God because of their acting faithlessly. However, the fire of the wrath of God will not result in their destruction but be for their good, bringing them to repentance after seventy years of exile (Jeremiah 29:10-11). The useless vine receives complete restoration when grafted into the living vine of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:23).

 

A Church drifting away from the word of God can also become as useless as the wood of the vine and consumed by the evil of this world. This drifting away can lead to liberalism or free grace, a belief that salvation comes to all humanity by the grace of God so there is no need to mention sin for God’s grace covers it all. This belief sounds good to itching ears but goes against Romans 10:9-10 that tells us salvation requires one confessing belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the grace of God leading to salvation is free to all, one must confess belief in Jesus as his or her Savior to accept the gift of grace.

 

Drifting away from the word of God can also lead to legalism or the belief salvation is based on our works of obedience to the commandments of God. While this appears to be strict adherence to the word of God, it ignores the grace of God bringing salvation and not our works of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9). The elder son in the parable of the prodigal son had pride over his obedience to all his father commanded him to do and missed out on the demonstration of the grace and mercy of his father extended to his brother (Luke 15:28-32).

 

The church has a calling to spread the message of the Gospel, evangelizing and pointing people to the cross where Jesus’ blood was shed for the salvation of sins (Mark 16:15; Romans 3:23, 5:8). However, the mission of the Church does not stop there with the Church also called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This is a process of equipping believers with knowledge of the Bible (Ephesians 4:11-12), the word of God, and encouraging believers when the world challenges their belief, or they experience temptation (Hebrews 3:12-13). The Church must also empower disciples by teaching them the need to have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Acts 1:8).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.