Ezekiel 15:4

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, it is cast {H5414} into the fire {H784} for fuel {H402}; the fire {H784} devoureth {H398} both {H8147} the ends {H7098} of it, and the midst {H8432} of it is burned {H2787}. Is it meet {H6743} for any work {H4399}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So now it is thrown in the fire as fuel, the fire consumes both ends of it, and the middle of it is singed is it useful now for making something?

Berean Standard Bible

No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?

American Standard Version

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire hath devoured both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned: is it profitable for any work?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 15:4 powerfully articulates the severe judgment awaiting Jerusalem, depicted through the parable of a worthless vine branch. This verse highlights the complete and irreversible destruction of the vine wood, which, even before burning, was only fit for fuel. Once consumed by fire, both its extremities and its core are rendered useless, posing a rhetorical question about its suitability for any constructive purpose, thereby emphasizing Jerusalem's spiritual barrenness and the comprehensive nature of God's impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 15 is a concise and potent parable, serving as a direct continuation of God's prophetic messages concerning Jerusalem's impending judgment. Preceding this chapter, Ezekiel has delivered pronouncements of judgment against Jerusalem for its idolatry and rebellion (e.g., [Ezekiel 8-11](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8-11 - Abominations in the Temple and God's Glory Departs")). Chapter 15 specifically focuses on Jerusalem's spiritual worthlessness, building upon the imagery of the vine introduced in [Ezekiel 15:2-3](/ezekiel/15-2 "Ezekiel 15:2-3 - The Uselessness of Vine Wood"). The vine, typically a symbol of fruitfulness and blessing, is here stripped of its positive connotations, with the emphasis placed solely on its wood, which unlike other trees, is inherently weak and unsuitable for crafting or building. Verse 4 then describes the inevitable and complete destruction of this already useless wood once it is subjected to the purifying, consuming fire of divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, addressing a people who had been deported from Jerusalem or were facing its imminent destruction. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and the site of the Temple, was considered the spiritual heart of the nation. The imagery of Israel as a vine or vineyard was deeply ingrained in Israelite thought, appearing in various prophetic and poetic texts (e.g., [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as God's Vine")). This imagery typically underscored God's careful cultivation and expectation of fruitfulness from His chosen people. However, in Ezekiel 15, the focus shifts dramatically from the vine's potential fruit to the inherent worthlessness of its wood, particularly when it fails to produce. This reflects Jerusalem's profound spiritual corruption and unfaithfulness, which had rendered it barren in God's eyes, making it ripe for the devastating judgment of the Babylonian invasion and the destruction of the city and Temple.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme permeating Ezekiel 15, and particularly highlighted in verse 4, is **Divine Judgment**. The "fire" serves as a powerful metaphor for God's righteous wrath against Jerusalem's rebellion and idolatry, culminating in the Babylonian exile. This judgment is depicted as **Utter Worthlessness and Unfruitfulness**, where the vine wood, already of little value, becomes completely useless after being consumed by fire. The description of the fire devouring "both the ends of it, and the midst of it" signifies a comprehensive, complete destruction, illustrating that Israel, having failed to live up to its covenant responsibilities and bear spiritual fruit, was rendered useless for God's intended purposes. Consequently, the passage underscores the **Consequences of Rejection** of God's ways. The rhetorical question, "Is it meet for [any] work?" powerfully emphasizes the irreversible state of devastation. Once judgment has consumed, there is no salvageable part; no good can come from it. This serves as a potent warning about the severe and irreversible consequences of spiritual barrenness and persistent disobedience to God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cast (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This primitive root signifies "to give," but is used with immense flexibility, encompassing actions like "put," "make," or "appoint." Here, its passive form "it is cast" implies divine agency. God Himself is the one who places the worthless vine wood—representing unfaithful Jerusalem—into the fire of judgment, underscoring His sovereign control over their fate and the deliberate nature of His punitive action.
* **fuel (Hebrew, _ʼoklâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to eat," this feminine noun specifically denotes "food" or "that which is consumed." In this context, it highlights the sole and ultimate purpose of the vine wood: to be utterly consumed by fire. It emphasizes that Jerusalem, having failed to produce righteous fruit, was fit for nothing more than destructive consumption, serving as a stark illustration of its spiritual barrenness.
* **meet (Hebrew, _tsâlach'_):** This primitive root means "to push forward," but also "to be good," "to be profitable," or "to prosper." The rhetorical question "Is it meet for any work?" uses this term to powerfully convey whether the vine wood, after being thoroughly burned, retains any suitability or profitability for a constructive purpose. The implied answer is a resounding "no," underscoring its complete and irreversible worthlessness and inability to serve God's purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel":** This declarative statement immediately sets the scene of divine judgment. The "it" refers to the vine wood, representing Jerusalem. The passive voice ("is cast") strongly implies God as the active agent, sovereignly delivering His people into the consuming fire of judgment. The phrase "for fuel" underscores the ultimate and only purpose of this wood: to be consumed, signifying Jerusalem's complete lack of usefulness for any other divine purpose due to its unfaithfulness.
* **"the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned":** This clause emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the judgment. The fire's consumption is not partial but absolute, affecting "both the ends" (extremities) and "the midst" (core). This vivid imagery conveys that no part of the vine wood—and by extension, no part of unfaithful Jerusalem—will escape the devastating effects of God's judgment. It speaks to a thorough, unsparing, and complete destruction.
* **"Is it meet for [any] work?":** This is a rhetorical question, demanding a resounding "no" as the answer. The word "meet" (Hebrew _tsâlach_) implies suitability, profitability, or fitness for a purpose. Having been consumed by fire, the vine wood is rendered utterly useless for any constructive "work" or purpose, such as building or crafting. This question serves to underscore the irreversible state of worthlessness that results from God's judgment on unrighteousness and unfruitfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 15:4 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of judgment. The entire chapter functions as an **allegory** or **parable**, where the vine represents Israel/Jerusalem, and the fire symbolizes divine judgment. This allows for a vivid and relatable depiction of complex theological truths. **Metaphor** is central, with "fire" standing in for God's destructive wrath and the "vine wood" for the unfaithful people. The phrase "the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned" utilizes **hyperbole** and **emphasis** to underscore the complete and unsparing nature of the destruction. No part is left untouched, signifying a judgment that is total and absolute. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful **rhetorical question**, "Is it meet for [any] work?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful point, driving home the utter and irreversible worthlessness of the vine wood after its fiery consumption, leaving the audience with no doubt about Jerusalem's tragic fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 15:4 stands as a stark testament to the biblical principle that divine blessing and purpose are contingent upon faithfulness and fruitfulness. Israel, chosen by God to be a fruitful vine, had instead become barren and corrupt, rendering itself useless for God's redemptive purposes among the nations. The imagery of fire as an instrument of judgment is a consistent biblical theme, signifying God's holiness and His intolerance for sin. This passage powerfully illustrates that when God's people persistently reject His covenant and fail to bear the fruit of righteousness, they risk being consumed by the very fire of His holiness that was meant to purify and refine them. It is a sobering reminder that privilege without obedience leads to severe consequences, where even what was once chosen can be deemed worthless if it fails to fulfill its divine calling.

* [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as God's Vine")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Israel, a Degenerate Vine")
* [John 15:6](/john/15-6 "John 15:6 - Branches Cast into the Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 15:4 serves as a profound and challenging mirror for contemporary believers. Just as the vine wood was useless apart from bearing fruit, so too are we called to bear spiritual fruit in our lives, demonstrating a vibrant and living faith. This verse highlights the severe consequences of spiritual barrenness and disobedience, urging us to examine the quality of our walk with God. Are we merely existing, or are we actively cultivating a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit, glorifies God, and impacts the world for His kingdom? The "fire" of judgment, whether literal or symbolic, serves as a powerful reminder that a life devoid of genuine spiritual fruit, marked by unfaithfulness and rebellion, ultimately leads to worthlessness in God's economy. This passage compels us to live intentionally, pursuing holiness, obedience, and active service, lest we become like the vine wood—deemed unfit for any work of the Master.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually barren or unfruitful, failing to honor God's call?**
* **How does the imagery of the consuming fire challenge my understanding of God's holiness and justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual fruitfulness in my daily life?**
* **How does the rhetorical question, "Is it meet for [any] work?" prompt me to evaluate my usefulness for God's purposes?**

### FAQ

**What does the "fire" symbolize in Ezekiel 15:4?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 15:4, the "fire" primarily symbolizes God's divine judgment. It represents the destructive consequences that befall unfaithful Jerusalem due to its rebellion and spiritual barrenness. This imagery is consistent throughout the Bible, where fire often signifies God's holiness, His purifying wrath, and the complete consumption of that which is deemed unholy or useless in His sight. For Jerusalem, this fire manifested in the form of the Babylonian invasion, the destruction of the city, and the exile of its people, a thorough and unsparing judgment that left nothing salvageable.

**Why is vine wood specifically chosen for this parable?**

Answer: Vine wood is chosen for this parable precisely because of its inherent worthlessness for any purpose other than burning. Unlike other trees that provide strong timber for building or crafting, vine wood is weak, crooked, and unsuitable for construction. This emphasizes Jerusalem's spiritual condition: despite being God's chosen "vine" (a common biblical metaphor for Israel, as seen in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as God's Vine")), it had failed to produce righteous fruit. Its unfaithfulness rendered it utterly useless in God's eyes, fit only for destruction, much like the vine wood fit only for fuel.

**Does this passage imply that God gives up on His people permanently?**

Answer: While Ezekiel 15:4 portrays a severe and comprehensive judgment on unfaithful Jerusalem, it's crucial to understand this within the broader context of Ezekiel's prophecy and God's covenant faithfulness. The judgment described here is specific to the generation that had rebelled and failed to bear fruit, leading to the Babylonian exile. However, Ezekiel's prophecies also contain messages of hope, restoration, and a future new covenant (e.g., [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel")). Therefore, while God's judgment on sin is real and devastating, this passage does not imply a permanent abandonment of His covenant people, but rather a severe discipline intended to purify and prepare for future restoration for a remnant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 15:4, with its stark imagery of a worthless vine consumed by fire, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the True Vine. While the passage pronounces judgment on unfaithful Israel, it simultaneously foreshadows the need for a perfect, fruitful Vine. Jesus declares in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." He embodies the perfect Israel, the one who truly bears fruit and fulfills God's purpose. The judgment depicted in Ezekiel 15:4, the consuming fire for worthlessness, points to the righteous judgment that all humanity deserves due to sin and unfruitfulness. However, in a profound act of substitutionary atonement, Jesus Christ Himself bore this consuming fire of divine wrath on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Through His perfect life and atoning death, He absorbed the judgment that would otherwise render us worthless. Now, those who are "in Christ" are grafted into the True Vine, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear much fruit for God's glory ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the True Vine")). The warning of Ezekiel 15:4 thus transforms into a call to abide in Christ, for apart from Him, we can do nothing, and only through Him can we escape the fate of the fruitless branch and instead live a life of eternal purpose and spiritual abundance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Psalms 80:16

[It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Malachi 4:1

¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Hebrews 6:8

But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.

Ezekiel 19:14

And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, [which] hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod [to be] a sceptre to rule. This [is] a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Isaiah 1:31

And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench [them].