Ezekiel 15: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh's word comes to Ezekiel with a metaphor about the vine tree. He asks what the vine tree is more than other trees in the forest (vv. 1-2). The vine tree cannot be used for any work, including making pins or hangers (vv. 3-4). Instead, it is cast into the fire, where it is burned and becomes even less useful (vv. 4-5). Yahweh declares that just as the vine tree is given to the fire for fuel, so he will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem to destruction (vv. 6-7). He will set his face against them, and although they will escape the fire, they will still be consumed (v. 7). Finally, Yahweh states that the land will become desolate because of their transgressions (v. 8).

Key verse

“Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

Ezekiel 15:6 (WEB)

Outline

1. Ezekiel 15:1–2 The Vine Metaphor Introduced
2. Ezekiel 15:3–5 Vine's Worthlessness
3. Ezekiel 15:6–7 Judgment Declared
4. Ezekiel 15:8 Desolation as Consequence

Discussion questions

1. In v2, what is Yahweh asking about the vine tree compared to other trees?
2. What does Yahweh say about the vine wood's usefulness in v3?
3. In v7, why does Yahweh say the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go out from the fire?
4. In v8, what does Yahweh mean by making the land desolate due to a 'trespass'?
5. When have you felt like something was 'cast into the fire' due to unfruitfulness?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 15: John 15, Ezekiel 14, Ezekiel 20.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 16.