Vine wood was not good for making much of anything because it was too soft, weak, and crooked. It was not even good for making a peg on which to hang a vessel because it was so weak. It was only good for producing grapes. If vine wood was naturally of so little value, it was of even less value when charred by fire. read more
Ezekiel’s Parable of the VineJerusalem and Israel are compared elsewhere in Scripture to a cultivated vine, bearing or expected to bear fruit. Ezekiel’s similitude, however, is that of the wild vine (Ezekiel 15:2, RV), regarded simply as a tree. It is the most worthless of trees. Its wood is of no use for any purpose, being too weak even to make a peg of. A vine branch that happens to be half-burnt is even more worthless than it was before. Jerusalem is such a half-burnt vine, already charred... read more
XV.This short chapter contains a single simile and its application, designed to show that Israel, having failed to fulfil the purpose for which they had been chosen, were worthless, and could have no other end than destruction. (2) What is the vine tree?—The comparison of Israel to a vine or to a vineyard is common in Scripture (Psalms 80:8-13; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1; Matthew 21:33-41, &c.) and is very apt; for the vine, bringing forth its appointed fruit, was among the... read more
Ezekiel 15:1-8 . This is the first of three parables to demonstrate still further the delusion of their false hope that deliverance would come. The vine is a type of Israel Psalms 80:8-19 ; Isaiah 5:1-30 , and Hosea 10:1 . The vine is only good for one thing, which is the bearing of fruit; apart from this it is worthless. The wood cannot be used for anything whatever. It is good for nothing but burning. Nebuchadnezzar carried out this sentence 2 Kings 25:9 . It reminds us also of the parable of... read more
DISTRIBUTING THE RESPONSIBILITY While these visions and prophecies may be new as to the particular occasions for them, yet they are in substance the same as the preceding. “THE PRINCE IN JERUSALEM” (Ezekiel 12:1-16 ) In chapter 10 we had a vision of the judgment upon the city of Jerusalem, in chapter 11, upon the princes, and in this upon the king himself (v. 10). The explanation of the action commanded the prophet in Ezekiel 12:1-7 is given in Ezekiel 12:8-16 . It is thought that this was... read more
Fruitless and Useless Ezekiel 15:0 The single idea of this brief chapter is that if the vine should fail in grapes it fails altogether. There is a whole philosophy of life in that single and simple fact. The argument of the Lord is founded upon that one circumstance. The vine is good for nothing for timber. With the vine, it is grapes, or nothing. Some trees might be made use of even if they did not grow the fruit whose name they bear: they might be cut down and used for fencing, for... read more
The figure of a vine-tree is most happily chosen to describe what the Lord meant to teach the Prophet concerning Jerusalem. The vine in its flourishing state is the most luxuriant and prolific perhaps of any trees of the garden. But when that fruitfulness is interrupted or spoiled, the tender stalk is fit for nothing. In application of this figure to Jerusalem, the Lord showeth the Prophet, that while the Lord's blessing was upon Jerusalem she was the praise and glory of all lands. Jerusalem... read more
Thereon. Isaias xxii. 23. (Calmet) --- The Turkish lords have no furniture in their rooms, but hang their arms, saddles, &c., upon such pins, or on strings. (Roger. ii.) read more
The Vine-Tree Fit for Burning Only. As little as the Lord, for the sake of a handful of righteous people, will spare Jerusalem, so little can a preference of Israel before other nations be alleged, as placing the Jews in a position of safety. As the preceding prophecy is directed against any false confidence on the part of the righteous, so the present message takes away the illusion held by some as though the people of Israel on account of their position as the children of God were safe from... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 15:3
Ezekiel 15:3. Shall wood be taken thereof— It is observable, that the wood of the vine is of no use in building, or in making any piece of furniture or domestic utensil. Bishop Lowth observes, that it is the chief excellence of a parable to consist of an image which is known and proper to the subject, and whose end is plain and determined by custom; the necessary consequence of which is perspicuity, wherein the chief beauty of an allegory consists. The prophets frequently make use of this kind... read more