EZEKIEL PREACHES FROM THE HEARTH

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"Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? 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, 4-6 ESV



¶Like any good preacher, Ezekiel draws a picture from the world around him. The twisted grape vine vivifies the predicament of his people. I can see him looking into the fire that cooks his food or warms his home as it burns, and wondering "What else could have been done with such a tough, fibrous, gnarled piece of wood? I could pull it from the flames, but then it would just be a charred stick burned at both ends. Just let it burn." People might not remember all the points Ezekiel made that day, but they would see themselves in the flames when they set their home-fires that night. How like Jesus he is, who preached the same judgement upon the unfruitful fig tree.

 For the purpose of being burned in the fire for fuel, the idolatrous inhabitants of Jerusalem were ideally suited. Even the most twisted sinner finds his place in the eternal decrees of God. Even if by flame, we all live or die to the glory of God the Father. 

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