Vv 2,3: The vine was a well-known symbol for the nation of
Israel. Isaiah had sung a song concerning Israel, comparing her to a vineyard
planted on a very fruitful hill, which God had tended with great care. But the
vines had failed to produce grapes that could be eaten or made into wine. All it
produced were wild grapes (Isa 5). Similarly, Psa 80:8,9 describes Israel: "You
brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You
cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land." See also Deu
32:32; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1.
A vine has no other purpose than to produce fruit. Trees might
be used to provide timber for various purposes, but the wood of the vine was
useless; it was not even used to form a "peg".
Israel had no personal righteousness (Eze 14:14,20); no
"fruits" (Mat 3:12; 21:33-41; Luke 13:6-9; Mark 11:12-14) -- that is, no fruit
of Spirit (Gal 5:22,23).
And if there were no fruit on the "vine", then there was no
use for it whatsoever!
Eze 15:4
IS IT THEN USEFUL FOR ANYTHING?: This was the present
condition of Israel: its two extremities (northern and southern kingdoms)
devoured; its middle (the common people, still left in the Land) on the verge of
being burned. Cp Psa 80:16.
Eze 15:5
The vine, like many other things (ourselves included?), is
worth nothing in itself, intrinsically -- but only if and when something useful
may come out of it!