Ezekiel 15:7

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.

And I will set {H5414} my face {H6440} against them; they shall go out {H3318} from one fire {H784}, and another fire {H784} shall devour {H398} them; and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I set {H7760} my face {H6440} against them.

I will set my face against them they may have escaped one fire, but the fire will consume them yet. When I set my face against them, you will know that I am ADONAI.

And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.

And I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the fire, but the fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I set my face against them.

Ezekiel 15:7 delivers a stark warning of divine judgment, emphasizing God's resolute opposition to an unfaithful people and the inescapable nature of the consequences for their disobedience. This verse concludes a vivid allegory in which Jerusalem is compared to the worthless wood of a vine, fit only for burning.

Context of Ezekiel 15:7

Ezekiel chapter 15 uses the metaphor of a vine to illustrate the spiritual condition of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Unlike other trees that provide useful timber, vine wood is intrinsically useless for construction or crafting; its sole value lies in bearing fruit. If the vine fails to produce grapes, its wood is so insignificant that it's only good for fuel. God uses this imagery to declare that Israel, though chosen and nurtured by Him, had become spiritually barren, producing no fruit of righteousness. Therefore, they were fit only for divine judgment and destruction. The "fire" in this context primarily refers to the impending Babylonian siege and the subsequent devastation of Jerusalem, a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Inescapable Consequence: The declaration, "And I will set my face against them," signifies God's absolute resolve and active opposition towards those who have rejected Him. This is not passive anger but decisive action. The vivid imagery of escaping "one fire" only to be devoured by "another fire" powerfully portrays the inescapable nature of God's judgment. It suggests that even if some survived the initial wave of destruction (the first "fire"), they would inevitably face further calamities, such as famine, pestilence, or exile, ensuring that none would truly escape the consequences of their actions.
  • God's Sovereignty Revealed: The concluding phrase, "and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them," highlights a recurring theme throughout the book of Ezekiel. The ultimate purpose of God's judgment is not merely punishment but revelation. Through His decisive acts, both in judgment and later in restoration, God demonstrates His supreme authority, faithfulness, and identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. Their experience of His wrath would undeniably prove His power and justice.
  • The Worthlessness of Unfaithfulness: The broader context of the worthless vine emphasizes that without bearing the fruit of righteousness and obedience, even those chosen by God become useless and destined for destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "set my face against them" is a powerful Hebrew idiom, nathan panim (נָתַן פָּנִים), which conveys a strong, determined resolve. In this context, it is specifically directed towards judgment and opposition, implying a direct and personal confrontation from God Himself. The declaration "I am the LORD" is the recurring divine self-attestation, Ani Yahweh (אֲנִי יְהוָה). This phrase underscores God's unique sovereignty and His unchangeable nature, particularly as He reveals Himself through His mighty acts of judgment and salvation.

Cross-References and Connections

This verse resonates with other biblical passages that speak to the inevitability of divine judgment for persistent unfaithfulness. The concept of God setting His face against a people in judgment is seen elsewhere, such as in Leviticus 20:3, where God sets His face against those who defile themselves. The imagery of inescapable judgment through successive calamities echoes themes found in Amos 5:19, where fleeing one danger leads to another. The declaration "ye shall know that I am the LORD" is a hallmark of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times, emphasizing God's self-revelation through His actions, whether in judgment or restoration (e.g., Ezekiel 6:7; Ezekiel 37:13).

Practical Application

Ezekiel 15:7 serves as a sober reminder of God's unwavering justice and the serious consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual barrenness. It highlights that God is not to be trifled with; His warnings are real, and His judgments are certain for those who refuse to bear fruit. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of living a life that produces righteousness and obedience, rather than becoming "worthless wood." It encourages reflection on whether we are truly bearing fruit for God's kingdom or merely consuming resources without contributing, reminding us that God will ultimately be glorified and known through His dealings with humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 14:8

    And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 34:16

    The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:18

    And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

  • Amos 9:1

    ¶ I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

  • Amos 9:4

    And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

  • Jeremiah 21:10

    For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

  • Ezekiel 6:7

    And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

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