Ezekiel 15
About EzekielWritten by AI
Ezekiel is a book of prophecy from exile. Ezekiel was a priest taken to Babylon with King Jehoiachin in 597 BC. Five years later, by the River Kebar, he saw a stunning vision of God's glory and was called as a prophet. His messages are carefully dated, running from about 593 to 571 BC, and are usually held to be his own.
The book moves in three parts. Chapters 1 to 24 warn that Jerusalem will fall, and show God's glory leaving the temple. Chapters 25 to 32 speak to the surrounding nations. After news arrives that the city has fallen, chapters 33 to 48 turn to hope: a new heart, dry bones brought to life, and a renewed temple where God dwells.
Expect strange visions and acted signs. Ezekiel lies on his side, shaves his head, and loses his wife as a sign. Watch for the repeated phrase that they will know that I am the LORD. The whole book is about God making Himself known.
Before you read Ezekiel 15Written by AI
A short parable. A vine is good for fruit, but its wood is useless for building, not even good for a peg. Once burned, it is worth even less. Jerusalem, meant to bear fruit, has become like that wood.
Jerusalem the Useless Vine
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? Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils?
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? 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!
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. And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ declares the Lord GOD.”