Ezekiel 15 Devotional

A Branch Apart from the Vine

What good is the wood of a vine? It cannot be used for building or even carved into a peg to hang a pot on (15:2-3). Its only use is fuel, and once the fire has charred it, it is worth even less (15:4-5). God says the people of Jerusalem are like that wood, given to the fire because they have been unfaithful (15:6-8).

A vine has value only when it bears fruit. Jerusalem's worth never lay in its own strength or status but in its faithfulness to God, and once that was gone, nothing was left to recommend it. Jesus takes up the same picture. He calls himself the vine and his followers the branches, and he says that without him they can accomplish nothing, while a branch that does not remain in him is thrown into the fire (John 15:5-6). That is severe, yet also an invitation. Fruit is not manufactured by effort. It grows as you remain in Christ, the true vine, and draw your life from him.

To think about: Where have you been trying to produce fruit by your own effort instead of staying close to Christ?