Ezekiel
Summary
The PARABLE OF THE VINE TREE. it asks the rhetorical question of whether a vine branch is better than the wood of any other tree, especially since it is too weak for building. it reveals that because Jerusalem has become unprofitable as a vine, it will be given to the fire for fuel, just as the vine branch is cast into the fire to be consumed.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?"
"Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?"
"Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?"
"Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?"
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; "As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
"And I will set My face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set My face against them."
"And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass," says the Lord GOD.