Friday, February 11 2011
Ezekiel 15
Verse of the Week: V2 “Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?”
1. The Tree (V1-2)
V2 “Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?”
The vine tree produces grapes. God compares Israel with the vine tree. If the vine trees produce grapes, Israel must also produce its fruits. What kind of fruits is God expecting from Israel? God expects Israel to bear the fruit of His glory by being a great nation and a great blessing that all nations may know that the God of Israel is the true and living God.
Genesis 12:1-2
V1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:”
V2 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”
2. The Testimony (V3-5)
V4 “Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?”
When the vines no longer produce grapes, they are cast into the fire for fuel. When Israel no longer bears the testimony of God’s glory, it will be judged and condemned. The church must also bear the testimony of God’s glory by sharing the Gospel of Christ to the whole world otherwise God shall remove His glory from the church.
Ephesians 1:12
“That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
3. The Trust (V6-8)
V7 “And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.”
Unless the nation of Israel trusts God in everything, they can do nothing for God. Unless the church and Christians trusts God in everything, we can do nothing for God.
John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Prayer of the Week
Dearest God, please help me to trust You in everything.
