http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2013-15&version=ESV
In Ezekiel chapter 15, the Lord compares the people of Israel to the wood of the vine.
I must confess, when I first read this, I thought, "Today's blog will be easy. I will just reference these verses and compare them to John chapter 15 where Jesus talks about the vine and the branches, and I'll be good to go."
But on further reflection and analysis, and looking at my trusty ESV Study Bible, we can see that there are definite differences between this "parable of the vine" vs. the "parable of the vine" in John chapter 15.
In John chapter 15, Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches, and that a branch that does not bear fruit will be burnt up, and that without Him we can do nothing. As an aside, please read John chapter 15 if you have a chance today. It is a great chapter in the Bible.
In Ezekiel chapter 15, God is comparing the people of Israel to the wood of the vine. He says,
"Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! 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."
(Ezekiel 15:2-6)
What the Lord is saying is that Israel has become so worthless that she is only good enough to be used as a fuel for the fire to be consumed. She has walked so far away from the Lord that this is her condition.
It is sad and frightening that the people of God could wander this far away from the Lord. And the thing is, this is possible still today.
As Jesus said in John 15:5-6, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. " (Sorry, I had to quote John chapter 15. :) )
On the above verses from John, we read that we can do nothing apart from Jesus. How that should be our focus each and every day. We should ask Him for help at our work, in our relationships, in our leisure, in all aspects of our lives.
Ezekiel writes straight to the point. Reflect today on what the Lord has done for you. Be thankful you are a branch of His. If you are not, and have not placed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are one of the branches that will be gathered into the fire and burned.
But it does not have to be this way!!! Those who go to heaven, will give all the glory to God. Those who go to hell will have to bare all the blame because they did not trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. A salvation that He freely offers to all.
As Jesus Christ said,
"The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. "
(Revelation 22:17)
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
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I like what you are saying about how we can do NOTHING without Him. All our dynamic personalities, our money, our talents and gifts amount to Nothing when it comes to producing fruit which will remain. But the flip side is we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
ReplyDeleteThe concept is amazing. We are limited by our natural talents and gifts but if we commit them into His hands and ask Him by faith to use us, our natural talents and gifts are then mixed with the power of God. His ability through us becomes limitless. What was just mere natural ability is transformed into something supernatural by the Holy Spirit. Take for instance our words. Words have no power apart from God. Yet while walking in the Spirit, we ask God to use us and then we happen to meet an old friend and we get to minister to them: encouraging them to walk with God etc. Later we find later what was spoken to them really touched their spirit and stirred them up to come walk with God afresh. What happened? It wasn’t the words spoken but rather the Holy Spirit working through what was spoken to bless someone’s life. Yes without Him our words mean nothing but through Him we can bless and build up others.