"As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem."

Ezekiel 15

"As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem." v6

The reference to how God's children are a vine shows up elsewhere in the bible:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8

In Ezekiel, the Lord refers to God's children as the vine in the sense that we are to be used as fuel for the fire - because we are not loving, worshipping, serving, and obeying the Lord.  We are useless.

In John, Jesus refers to himself as the vine and we are branches of the vine.  If we remain in Him we will bear fruit and be useful.  If we are not, we will - as Lord refers to us in Ezekiel - be thrown in the fire and declared useless.

My Prayer: Lord, You are truly the vine and You have produced much, not just in me but everywhere and all around me.  You are an amazing God.  Thank You for Your rich blessings that You have provided.  I am not worthy of such blessings.  Please forgive me for how I am so critical of others and how I lack compassion with my mom.  Please help me with this relationship so that I can be a sign of the Lord to her and bring her to You Jesus.

...for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.

Ezekiel 12

...for I have made you a sign to the Israelites. v6

As the Lord continues to exercise his wrath on Jerusalem, he speaks to and uses Ezekiel as a sign to the Israelites.  The Lord commands Ezekiel to leave during the day with all of his belongings so that it is clear to everyone that this is something to notice and to understand.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.

3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. 5 While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”

7 So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’

10 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’ 11 Say to them, ‘I am a sign to you.’  v1-11

I desire to hear the Lord, to be used by the Lord, to obey the Lord, and for my actions to be so clear, distinct, and separate from the world's ways that it is clear I am of the Lord and not of this world.

My Prayer: Lord, Your works are perfect and they are beautiful.  The spring, with its warmer weather and beautiful flowers are a great thing.  And you provide the spring for us to enjoy.  How great You are.  You also went to the cross for us, then defeated death so that we would not be slave to sin, we could have Your Holy Spirit, and an eternity with You in heaven beyond this life on earth - how awesome!  I am not deserving of all this!  You love me despite how weak I am.  Thank You Lord Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me have more energy, more courage, and more love and devotion to You.  Help me be the husband, father, and man You intend me to be.

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.”

Ezekiel 11

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.” v12

The Lord calls us to be separate, not of this world, and not to conform to the ways of the world but to Him.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

It must be clear to others that God exists, He is sovereign, and He desires all of His children to come to Him.  We must act in a way so that others see Jesus.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

My Prayer: Lord, Your ways are perfect, Your will is perfect, and everything about You is perfect, pure and holy.  I so desire to be like You.  Yet I fall short, in my sloth, my haste, my anger, my arrogance, etc.  Thank You for Your love but please forgive me Lord Jesus!  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me be more bold so that others see Jesus in me.

They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’

Ezekiel 8

They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’

There are times when I knowingly sin and I say to myself "I will be forgiven", or "God knows I am imperfect"....both of which (and there are other things I say to myself) are LIES I tell myself to excuse my own sin.  What I do is no different than what the elders of Israel are doing with idols in the temple in this chapter in Ezekiel. 

The Lord knows all and sees all.

My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.  Jeremiah 16:17

...

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

...

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You DO know all, and You have power over all.  While forgiveness is available to me, I must not abuse this grace given to me as Your patience and grace is not unlimited for me.  I must not openly and willfully sin.  Please help me Jesus so that I don't tell lies to myself about my sin.  I know You see all and I am deserving of harsh punishment.  Help me turn from sin and be strong.  Give me strength Jesus.

You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

Ezekiel 2

After the fall of Jerusalem, God calls Ezekiel to be a prophet to deliver a message to the Israelites in exile in Babylonia. 

And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ⁶ And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. ⁷ You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.  v5-7

The key point here for me to understand is that we are to deliver God's word to everyone regardless of whether they listen or not.  God is in charge of the outcome.  We are simply His messengers.

These words remind me of the Great Commission:

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20

My Prayer: Lord, Your words are truth, power, hope, love and so much more.  All people deserve to hear Your words.  Yet I live in fear of spreading Your word.  I am weak.  I know You love me anyway - thank You for such patience and compassion.  But please forgive me.  Help me be more bold.  Give me strength.  Be with me.  Help me boldly proclaim Your word and Your truth...the truth, hope and love of Jesus Christ.

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. v19

While the world around is continues to evolve and we see our own circumstances change - the one thing we can be sure of Lord Jesus, our God who never changes.  He is a rock.  We can trust in Him, His word, and His love of us.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the one constant not only in my life but in all lives.  Your love for me is boundless and it is forever.  How awesome and how awesome You are!  Thank You Jesus for Your love for me as I am weak and lazy.  Forgive me for this and help me have a greater love for You and strength to be Your servant.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul...as You command me to.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. v31-32

After the Lord lays siege on Jerusalem (as He said He would through Jeremiah), there is much suffering and moaning.  Yet even in the depths of despair, the Lord appears:

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them,

and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. 29 Let him bury his face in the dust—

there may yet be hope. 30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. 31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. v20-33

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that even in the darkest moments, there is hope.  That hope is You.  Hope for comfort, strength, provision, healing, etc. - the Lord Jesus will provide as only He can do.  Lord Jesus You are the one and only God.  My God.  I try to love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul, yet I am often lacking with this - thank You Jesus for patience and compassion.  I know You love me anyway but please please forgive me.  Help me grow in my love for You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me please You Jesus.  Give me strength.