Ezekiel 15
Comparison between vine and tree verse 1- 5
And the word of the LORD came to me saying
Son of man
What is the vine tree more than any tree
or than a branch which is
among the trees of the forest?
Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work?
or will men take a pin of it
to hang any vessel thereon?
BEHOLD – it is cast into the fire for fuel
the fire devours both the ends of it
and the midst of it is burned
Is it meet for any work?
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 has devoured it
and it is burned?
Jerusalem is worthless as a grapevine verse 6
THEREFORE thus says 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
Unfaithfulness of Judah causes judgment verse 7- 8
AND I will set MY face against them
they shall go out from one fire
and another fire shall devour them
AND you SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD
when I set MY face against them
AND I will make the land desolate
BECAUSE they have committed a trespass
says the Lord GOD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying (1697 “word” [dabar] means speech, saying, utterance, a communication that is most often spoken, but can come through other means, matter, or discourse.)
DEVOTION: The Bible is given to communicate from God to human beings that are trying to serve HIM with the help of the Holy Spirit.
To often we try to serve the LORD without really studying what HE has said to us in the Bible. We think we know what God wants of us if we are followers of HIM. We think that the Holy Spirit will just speak to us when we need to learn something of what God expects of us.
However, we find that if we are listening to the LORD, HE speaks through the Bible that HE has given throughout time to help us understand HIM and what HE expects of us.
If we don’t study the Bible we will be at the merry of anyone who says that God told him/her to tell him what he should do in a given situation. This may be true or it may be false. The only way we know for sure is to study the Bible for ourselves with the help of someone who has studied it and is not just looking out for themselves but for other believers to grow in the LORD.
There are tools that help us study the Bible to make sure we are understanding the right way to apply what the verse is saying for us to do.
CHALLENGE: Is the Word of God, the Bible, coming to you on a daily basis to help you mature in the faith of Jesus Christ? It takes time, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and prayer to genuinely understand God’s message for us today.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 THEREFORE thus says 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. (402 “fuel” [’oklah] means food, eating, consuming, destruction, serve as food, meat, or a meal)
DEVOTION: The LORD uses a lot of object lessons regarding the people of Judah during the ministry of Ezekiel. Here we find that HE is comparing the use of a grapevine and a piece of wood.
A piece of wood can be used for making something. We build houses of wood. We can carve wood into almost any object we would like. We can use wood even in a fire and it will burn for a longer time than a grapevine.
HE uses a piece of wood as something that you can make a in to hang any vessel on. If you would use a grapevine it would fall and break is the implication.
Judah was a grapevine in the eyes of the LORD because they were not able to do any work for the LORD. The LORD has a desire that HIS people work for HIM. They were to worship HIM alone. They were to bring sacrifices to HIM alone. They were to train their children in the worship and service of HIM. All of this was not happening. They were not doing any worthwhile work for HIM.
They were only good to be consumed by a fire to produce some heat but very little. They were going into captivity because of their trespasses against the LORD.
When we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ we are called to service. This service includes work. Our work is to bring glory to God through the use of our gifts in a local church.
Also we are ambassadors for the LORD to our world. We are to witness in the home, on the job and in the neighborhood for HIM. Our person should manifest the fruit of the Spirit to those around us, so that, they will want to know more about the God we serve.
CHALLENGE: We are to be wood available to the LORD and not grapevines that are not able to do the work the LORD wants done in our world.
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: 7 And I set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them. (5414 “set” [nathan] means to give, put, deliver, make, appoint, grant, or permit. 7760 “set” [suwm] means to put, place, appoint or make.)
DEVOTION: This verse uses two different Hebrew words for the one word in the verse. The LORD is trying to get across to the children of Israel that they are only good to be placed in the fire of captivity. They have not listened to the LORD. HE has appointed them to a place of captivity. HIS face is against them.
A vine is supposed to produce fruit. It is only good to produce fruit. It cannot be used to make furniture. It is not something that they wanted to make pegs of to hang things on. It was not good even for the fire as it burned so quickly. It was only good for fruit.
The children of Israel were not producing spiritual fruit. They were producing bad fruit. The only thing that the LORD could do is burn the land and start from new plants. Most of us have had a parent make a face at us when we have done something wrong. They have made a face at us to show that we are in trouble. We know that we are in trouble and must prepare for a form of punishment that the conduct requires. We have been sent to our rooms. We have lost privileges. We have been spanked.
The LORD has used up HIS options regarding the behavior of HIS people. HE has to spank them to get their attention. The reason for the captivity was that they might realize that the LORD is Sovereign in the universe and they need to listen to HIS instructions through HIS prophets. When the people learn this lesson the captivity will end.
The LORD uses different methods now to get the attention of those who are HIS followers. There are countries where Christians are put in jail or killed for their beliefs. There are countries where those who hold to the absolutes of Scripture are made fun of because of their belief. These are not necessarily a judgment of God but a consequence of our witness for the LORD.
If it is the chastening of the LORD we will know the difference. HE through the ministry of the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. We will have a deep sorrow over what is happening in our life. We will know that it is because of our sin or trespasses that we have committed.
When we learn the lesson our chastening will end. Are we listening to the LORD? Are we forgetting the past and pressing toward the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus? Let us produce fruit for the LORD!!!
Object lessons are given for our benefit. We are to learn from the sins of the children of Israel. If we learn we will not have to face the consequences of our actions through a time of suffering.
CHALLENGE: Remember that all suffering is not the chastening of the LORD. Some is for our maturity.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says the Lord GOD. (4604 “trespass” [ma‘al] means transgression, falsehood, unfaithful, an act that disregards an agreement or a right, fraud, disloyalty, or infidelity.)
DEVOTION: Making deals with God don’t work. The children of Israel thought that they could keep God’s blessings while they worshiped false gods. HE gives them time to repent but they as a nation refuse to stop worshiping false gods and expect the LORD to continue to bless them because they are HIS people. They were wrong.
We somethings think that same as the children of Israel. We want the LORD’S blessing on our nation and think that He will just give it no matter what we do. HIS longsuffering only lasts so long on any group of people in any nation. If those who claim to follow the LORD start worshiping false gods and pass laws against the God of the Bible and that nation thinks that the ONE TRUE GOD will continue to bless that nation they are wrong.
Israel thought God would not stop blessing them because of all the promises HE had given in the pass. HE was going to save a remnant but the nation as a whole was going to die or go into captivity for their unfaithfulness. This can happen to any nation that disobeys the LORD.
Today we have to be willing to stand up like Ezekiel and tell the truth to those around us who claim Christ that they need to stop being religious and start standing up for the LORD by being obedient even it there is going to be consequences from our friends and our nation.
Believers in Israel were weak. Believers in our time are weak. They want to please people no matter what which means they are not pleasing the LORD. God expects us to be faithful to HIM every day of our life our commitment to HIM. HE knows that we sin but HE doesn’t want us to live in sin. HE wants us to daily confess our sins and stay on the road toward serving HIM.
CHALLENGE: Are we being faithful to the LORD in our actions as individuals? Are we willing to stand up for God in our nations? Only each one of us can answer that question.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 1
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 7
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 6, 8
GOD – Jehovah verse 6, 8
Lord GOD verse 6, 8
LORD’S face verse 7
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Trespass verse 8
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Know the LORD verse 7
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Son of man = Ezekiel verse 2
Jerusalem verse 6
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
15:6–8 Ezekiel stated the interpretation of the parable in unmistakable language. Jerusalem was the vine that God had consigned to the “fire” of judgment, a reference to the coming Babylonian destruction. While Jerusalem was only charred in the earlier invasions, the coming judgment was to be decisive. The city and its people would be severely punished for their unfaithfulness and treachery (v. 8).
Without God no individual or nation will ever realize their true potential or purpose. Like an unproductive vine, they have no purpose beyond fruitbearing. When they bear no fruit, they are replaced (15:1–8; Isa 5:1–30; Luke 13:6–17). (Cooper, L. E. (1994). Ezekiel (Vol. 17, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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The reason for this fiery judgment was once more made clear: Judah had been unfaithful to the Lord and his covenant. They had failed to be a blessing to the world. They had disobeyed God’s ordinances and had sinned. They were worthless and useless because of their idolatry. Graciously, the exiles could still be useful and fruitful for God, but only if they remained faithful to him. This principle still applies. In order to cause them to return to himself, the Lord brought this ruin on those living in Jerusalem. Through this judgment the exiles would know that he was their ever-present God (v.7). It was this gracious, loving purpose of God’s’ judgments that the exiles had failed to understand in questioning his consistency. So he disciplined his chosen people to make them fruitful instead of unproductive (cf. John 15:1–16) (Alexander, R. H. (1986). Ezekiel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel (Vol. 6, p. 809). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Those of us who are branches in Jesus Christ, the true vine, need to take this lesson to heart. If we fail to abide in Christ, we lose our spiritual power, wither, and fail to bear fruit for His glory. The fruitless branch is tossed aside and eventually burned (John 15:6). I don’t think this burning means condemnation in the lake of fire, for no true believer can be condemned for sins for which Jesus died (John 6:37; 10:27–29; Rom. 8:1). The image of the burning branch is that of a worthless life, a life useless to God. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, prayed, “Lord, let me not live to be useless!” (Wiersbe, W. W. (2000). Be reverent (pp. 71–72). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor/Cook Communications.)
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In the interval, between the rejection of Israel—the Lord said, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt. 23:38)—and the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Lord Jesus Himself, as the True Vine, brings forth fruit unto the Father through those who in infinite grace have been linked up with Him not in profession but in reality. It is well to remember that there are no natural branches in the living Vine; all must be grafted in. Where the graft does not strike—that is, where there is only profession and not life, there will be no fruit; but where there is actual union in life there will be fruit unto God—fruit which is precious in His sight. In order that more fruit may be produced He cleanses the branches, prunes them as He sees fit, and rejoices when they bring forth much fruit. (Ironside, H. A. (1949). Expository notes on Ezekiel, the prophet. (pp. 97–98). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 8. And I will make the land desolate, &c.] The land of Judea uncultivated, men and beast being cut off; see ch. 14:15, 21: because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord; acted a treacherous and perfidious part; apostatized from God, having committed idolatry, which was the cause of their ruin; and therefore it was not without a cause that the Lord did what he did in it; see ch. 14:23. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 65). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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6–8. Here, as in other parts of the word of God, we find judgment following conviction. The Lord seems to expostulate, as it were, in the same language as by another Prophet: And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Isaiah 5:3, 4. Reader! it is a very solemn thing when men trifle with the Lord. Sin is sin, wherever it be found. But sin in the Church of God becomes more exceedingly sinful. The weed in the garden is more offensive than in the hedge. And when the Lord sets his face against a people, against an individual, how tremendously awful are the judgments which follow. Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Hosea 4:17. If the Lord ceaseth to correct, destruction is not far off. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Ezekiel–Malachi (Vol. 6, p. 61). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Samson uses foxes to burn the Philistines’ crops and kills 1,000 men.
INSIGHT
A list of the sins of Samson:
1. Fraternizing with pagans
2. Marrying an unbeliever
3. Disobeying his parents
4. Touching a dead animal
5. Murdering innocent people
6. Visiting a harlot
7. Lying
We are often tempted to disregard the truth. We weary of being good and fighting natural inclinations. But one look at Samson’s life reveals the consequences of giving in to that weariness. We must wait on the Lord and have our strength renewed. (Quiet Walk)
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KNOWING GOD
No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11:27
Salvation brings me a knowledge of pardon and forgiveness, of reconciliation with God. Yes, but beyond all that, it gives me a knowledge of God.
Have you ever considered this text in that way? Have you ever seen the span and the ambit [scope] of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Here it is. There is this little babe on the ground in his smallness and weakness and helplessness, yet the gospel gives Him a knowledge of the Lord of heaven and earth, the Maker, the sustainer of everything that is. What a knowledge! Amazing! I, the pygmy creature of time, can know God the in?nite, the absolute, and the eternal—and know Him as my Father—not as some great, mighty force away in the distant heavens, but as my Father.
Those who are interested in Greek words can examine the word for babies, used in Matthew 11:25, in the original and will find that it has a sense of sonship unfolding in it. That is what our Lord was saying: that we, though we have sinned, become in Him the sons of God, the heirs of heaven and of eternal and everlasting bliss.
What a way of salvation! May I say it with reverence—who but God could have thought of it? In such an astounding way, in our utter nakedness and helplessness He just draws back the veil and reveals it to us perfectly in Jesus Christ. He “of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30)—everything, a complete salvation. All you must do is to look at the Lord Jesus Christ and believe this record concerning Him. Surrender yourself to Him and accept the gift, and you will know the Lord of heaven and earth as your Father.
A Thought to Ponder: I, the pygmy creature of time, can know God the infinite, the absolute, and the eternal. (From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 118-119, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Murmurers and Complainers
“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” (Jude 1:16)
Jude’s book cites several incidents in the early history of Israel right after they were wonderfully delivered from slavery in Egypt. Within a very short time, they had come through the Red Sea, had bitter water made sweet, seen water come out of a rock, and been fed with “angels’ food” from heaven. Yet when the 12 spies came back from the land of Canaan that had been promised to them, there was a widespread revolt against God and against Moses’ leadership.
The 10 spies who “murmured” against God “died by the plague before the LORD” (Numbers 14:37). Some who had previously sided with the defeatist words of the spies tried to take matters into their own hands and “presumed to go up” to fight against the Canaanites and were killed or scattered (Numbers 14:44-45).
Much of the history of Israel is marked by various ways of turning away from God. Psalm 81 provides a good summary of how God sees this behavior: “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels” (Psalm 81:10-12).
Jude uses a rather unusual word picture to describe those who use others for their personal advantage. They speak “great swelling words” to gain the association. The Greek word is huperogkos, which conveys something like “beyond weight” or “too heavy.” The words are coming from hearts that are lustful and attempting to manipulate others for their own benefit. It appears that those who “murmur” and “complain” will use “heavy” words to achieve their ends. (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Christ’s Call To REFORM the CHURCH by John Macarthur
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The Persecuted Church: SMYRNA
The believers in Smyrna were similarly purified by persecution, and praised by the Lord of the church for their steadfast faithfulness. Theirs was the kind of Christian character that is born out of hardship and opposition. (p. 74)
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Persecution purges the church of false teachers, false gospels, and false professions of faith. If the church today is on the cusp of another wave of persecution – as it seems – it will be benefical. As Peter said, even the fiercest persecution comes to us with great spiritual benefits. It perfects and confirms our faith, it strengthens our commitment to the Lord, and it establishes His church in the world aligned against it. Persecution doesn’t destroy the church; it makes it strong. (p. 75)
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