Ezekiel 15-18

The Vine, the Branches and Pruning

In Chapter 15 the branch of the vine is compared to the branch of a tree. They are different and so are we when we become a child of God. The vine is to bear fruit as Jesus made clear in John 15. In order for us to bear fruit we must remain connected to the vine. The vine is Jesus. God the Father is the one who prunes (or cleans  John 15:2) the branches that do not bear fruit. If the branch does not bear fruit it will be eventually cut off. It will dry up and be thrown into the fire. This is what Ezekiel is being shown in our study today. I highly recommend that we add to our study today John 15.

In Ezekiel 16 we read the vineyard is Jerusalem a Canaanite city that was given to Israel as they grew to be a nation. Isaiah 5 describes the vineyard as well as Matthew 21:33-46. In this chapter we read that the Father was expecting the branches of the vine to bear fruit but He found that they were wild.

Years ago I planted some cuttings of grapes I received from the County Extension Service. Over the years they established themselves but I confess I would only prune them in the spring. The vines grew wild. In a season the branches can grow 20 feet or more. They grow up into trees, along the fence, and everywhere they spread they cling to any and everything with their tendrils. What they don’t do is bear fruit. Oh, there are a few grapes here and there but a cluster may consist of one or two grapes. It is clear to me that without pruning there will be no fruit.

In Ezekiel 17 we read of the pruning process that the Father was doing to the nation. Again in John 15:2 we read that the process has two parts. The branches that do not bear fruit are taken away and burned in the fire. God is using Nebuchadnezzar as His pruning tool. The second part of the pruning process is to identify which branches are bearing fruit. These branches God prunes so they can be more fruitful. Chapter 18 speaks of the identification process. The branches that bear fruit, though few in this case, are going to be pruned severely. These are the people who will become the remnant that returns to Jerusalem the vineyard. They will be taken to Babylon where they are trained to grow into branches that will bear fruit for the Lord.  In Jeremiah 29:1-14 we are told that God has a plan and instructs the people as to what to do, and that they are to grow and increase while they are in Babylon.

So, there is a lot to learn from these chapters today along with John 15, Matthew 21, Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 29, and I may as well add Romans 11.

When I first started reading the Bible it was easy to see how to apply it to other people and family. One day I realized that I needed one more thing in my Bible. Right inside the cover I needed a mirror so I could see who God was speaking to as I read His Word. Now when I study the Bible I try to see how what I am reading applies to me rather than deflect it on someone else.

I recommend you do the same as you read these studies each day. God is speaking. Are we listening?

Pastor Dave  

Ezekiel 12-14

The Ministry of Ezekiel

God has called Ezekiel to be a prophet to the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem. Ezekiel was in line to be a priest but God knew that soon there would be no temple for Ezekiel to serve in. From these captives God is going to draw out a remnant of people who will put their faith in God and will one day return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple and the city. However, right now what Ezekiel has to work with is a rebellious people who will not seek or listen to God.

Even though the people are prone to not listening, God has charged Ezekiel to proclaim the words God has given him. Back in Chapter 3 God made it clear that if he does not warn the people he will be responsible for their sins. If he does warn the people and they refuse to repent, the people will be responsible for their sins. God’s standard for success is not the number of converts Ezekiel has but his obedience to God’s direction. The same is true for us.

Ezekiel is to not only speak the words God gives him, but to also act them out. This is the way God is going to get the attention of those who are deaf and blind to God. They are deaf and blind because they are looking and listening to the false prophets who were saying Nebuchadnezzar would be defeated within two years and they would return to Jerusalem.

God gave Ezekiel a prophesy that, when fulfilled, will dash this hope. The prophesy speaks of the capture of the king as he tries to escape the siege against Jerusalem. When he is captured Nebuchadnezzar will have his sons killed before the king’s eyes and then he will be blinded and brought to Babylon, fulfilling the prophesy that he would be brought to Babylon but not see it.

It would seem the people would turn to God as a result of this event but there are still obstacles in the way that are keeping their hearts hard toward God. They have whitewashed their sins and used that white wash to hide the fact that in their hearts they trust in idols and have idolized the world. Jesus confronted the scribes and Phariseees of the same thing which was causing their hearts to be hard as well. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27 NASB

Again, as news arrives of the siege against Jerusalem, the people in exile hopefully will understand that in the trial the whitewash of hypocrisy will be washed away and what is really in the heart will be exposed.

The Church faces the same kinds of temptations and trials. We need to be careful that we are not misled by false teachers or idolize the things of the world. We too need to be careful what we hide in our heart. Are we trying to show that we are something that we are not? Are we going to church but living for the world? Are we in church but not listening? Sitting in the pew but looking out the window or checking our phone for messages? God is working in our lives and in the world. Do we see His hand at work? Or are we in danger of becoming blind by going after the things the world offers? Will we listen and obey or blow off the message?

I take Chapter 14 as a warning.

Pastor Dave