Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 15
Theme : The Parable of the Vine
This parable implies that the exiles had asked about God’s consistency. They understood that they were His chosen people, His choice vine (Gen 49:22; Ps 80; Isa 5:1–7; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1). How could God destroy them? They had been through the fire of two invasions and deportations by the Babylonians, but each time they had endured and sprouted up again. They did not believe that God’s judgments would destroy Judah as Ezekiel had proclaimed. But God said Israel was useless and failed to be a blessing to the nations because of their idolatry so God will destroy them. God is just to judge individual’s idolatry and use the judgement as a purifying fire to cleanse Israel so that it will worship Him again. God exhorts the exiles to repent and be faithful to Him and not depend on their lineage for salvation.
Praying the Scripture
经文：以西结书15
主题：葡萄树的比喻
这个比喻暗示被掳之民曾经质疑神是否始终如一。他们明白自己是神的选民，是祂上等的葡萄树（创49:22；诗80；赛5:1-7；耶2:21；何10:1）。神怎么能消灭他们呢？他们经历了巴比伦两轮的攻击和放逐，但每一次都能承受得住，并再次兴起。他们不相信神的审判包括将犹大毁灭，如以西结所宣告的。可是，神说以色列是无用的，因着他们的偶像崇拜无法成为列国的祝福。神审判个人拜偶像的罪，并用其审判作洁净之火除尽以色列之罪，叫他们能再次敬拜祂的举动是公平的。神劝诫被掳之民要悔改，对祂忠心，不要将拯救的信心投在他们的血统上。
用经文祷告
倘若有人信神作他的主人和拯救者却不听从神的话，他的信心是死的。凡承认自己是基督徒却不跟从基督的都是假信徒，并在未来被神丢弃，命运如同这些不忠实的犹太人。不要自欺；你若接受耶稣为你的主却不服从于祂，你是不属于神的，而是撒旦。你要委身于神，并祷告你的信心会坚固，叫你的委身能坚定。
