 And the word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? 3 Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? 4 Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything? 5 Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything! 6 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them. 8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God.”
Meditation We need to hear and believe- God is faithful. In Christ Jesus nothing can separate you from His love. God will never leave or forsake you. God is with you. God has gone before you. God’s word speaks this truth clearly: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). God’s faithfulness is GREAT! His steadfast love never ceases and His compassion never ends- they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Do you trust His love? Where do we see God’s faithfulness in this chapter? God appears angry, vengeful, unforgiving, and punitive. Jerusalem will be burned and become desolate. God’s people will be exiled. Where is God’s faithfulness?!? God promised in the old covenant that if Israel disobeyed then He would “set His face against them” (twice in 15:7; Leviticus 26). God is faithful to His word. God is also faithful to His covenant love that redeems and restores. God desires to “make His face shine upon” His people (Numbers 6:25) and to give peace. Jesus Christ took the judgment we deserve so that we can have the blessings of the love of God (Romans 3:21-26). If we confess our sin God is faithful to forgive us and purify us (1 John 1:9). Judah never repented, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were exiled. Jesus was destroyed unto death for our sin so we can repent and find forgiveness. God is faithful when we are faithless. We can trust His steadfast love. Richly Dwelling -Do you believe God is faithful when you are faithfulness? Why or why not? -How does God’s just judgment against sin amplify His love, forgiveness, and compassion? -Jesus Christ became sin, died for our sin, and rose from the grave so that in Him we can become righteous, find new life, and experience resurrection realities in our life by the power of His Spirit. How can you trust God’s faithfulness and walk in a newness of life today? Key Verse 8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God.” Comments are closed.
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