B. Jerusalem Depicted as a Useless Vine (15:1-8)

Israel is frequently referred to in the OT as a vine, a comparison that was readily accepted by the Israelites who knew the blessings of the beauty, shade, fruit, and wine the grapevine provided. Unfortunately, the comparison was often negative because Israel did not always demonstrate the good qualities of the vine (Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1). For Ezekiel, too, the image of the vine was seen as an illustration of Israel’s uselessness because of her sin: the wood of the vine is useless for building, and it makes poor firewood. Israel is hardly worth throwing into the fire.