Ezekiel 15

Message: The Wood of the Vine.

Time: Ezekiel receives a parable from the Lord.

What the Lord is Saying: 
Small chapter, but as is customary with parables, there is lots of information here.

Branch among branches compare (verse 2). This is interesting. Is Israel, the wood of the vine, shown here to be distinct from the other vines, the other wood. Can different wood be useful? Can this wood be useful? The wood of the vine was not useful. The purpose of the vine was to produce grapes. But, the wood. It is only good for producing a fire.

Into the fire (verse 4). The wood here has a purpose. Fuel for the fire. The wood has a purpose.

Could not be made useful whole or after being devoured (verse 5). On its own, it isn't useful. It needs something or someone to ignite it.

Ultimately, like the wood, God will give up the wood, His people, to burn. The people of Jerusalem had become this wood. The leftover part of the vine. No matter what, they will be consumed.

Grape-producing vines were among the most important crops of ancient Israel and therefore key to the old covenant community and its economy. To own a prosperous vineyard was to have a means of supporting oneself and one's family, and an abundant vineyard came to symbolize prosperity. 

Promise: God does things for a reason. There is always a reason. We may not comprehend it, but there is a reason. Here the reason is unfaithfulness.