Ezekiel, 15
4. But now they have used it as fuel and the fire has burned it at both ends leaving the middle charred. Is it then of any use?
4. But now they have used it as fuel and the fire has burned it at both ends leaving the middle charred. Is it then of any use?
Ezekiel 15 compares the city of Jerusalem to a useless vine and warns of God's judgment. The verses chosen in order of proximity to the theme of the chapter are:
John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the sticks. Who remains in me and me in him, gives a lot of fruit; for without me you can do it." Jesus uses the vine metaphor to teach that believers need to remain in it to bear fruit. Just as the vine needs support to grow, believers need Jesus to bear fruit that remains.
Matthew 7:19: "Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut and thrown into fire." Jesus talks about the importance of producing good fruits and warns that any tree that does not produce good fruits will be cut and burned, similar to Ezekiel's useless vine.
John 15:1-2: "I am the true vine, and my father is the farmer. Every branch that, being in me, does not bear fruit, he cuts him; and all that gives the clean fruit, so that he produces more fruit yet." Jesus teaches that God is the farmer and He is the true vine. He also states that any branch that gives no fruit is cut, as is the useless vine of Ezekiel 15.
Matthew 3:10: "And the ax is already put to the root of the trees; the whole tree, for, which does not produce good fruit, is cut and thrown into fire." John the Baptist warns people to produce good fruits and states that any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut and thrown into fire, similar to the judgment described in Ezekiel 15.
Luke 13:6-9: "Also said this parable: a man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and going to the fruit of it, he did not find any. He said to the vineyard: behold, I have been looking for fruit for three years in this fig tree, and I don't think any. Cut it; why the earth is still in use? He answered him: Lord, leave it this year, until I fall around it and put it fertilizer; if it fruit next season, too much Well; if not, you will cut her. " This parable of Jesus talks about the importance of giving fruit and the patience of God. The man who owned the fig tree was about to cut it, but the vineyard asked for a time to fertilize and try to make it bear fruit, as well as the judgment described in Ezekiel 15.
“Procuremos servir ao Senhor com todo o coração e com toda a vontade. Ele nos dará sempre mais do que merecemos.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
