Ezekiel 17:8 Planted To Bear Fruit

It was planted in good soil by many waters, to bring forth branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine. Ezekiel 17:8

When a person plants a fruit plant, it is expected to grow and produce fruit. This can be expected when the plant is properly cared for with first being planted in good soil and then being watered correctly. Problems usually arise when a person does not properly care for the plant and ignores it when the care is needed. Then the plant will either die off or will just not produce any, or very little, fruit.

Ezekiel records God saying that there was a vine, representing the Israelites, that was planted in good soil with a lot of water. It was to produce branches, fruit and become a majestic vine.

Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the world is dead in sin. What appears to be life, is actually death and always leading to death. On their own, mankind is unable to produce lasting, productive life. Everything is temporary and will die in the end. The focus is on self and the temporary pleasures of life, rather than providing what is truly needed.

God reaches down from heaven and touches lives, drawing people to Him through Jesus Christ. When Jesus came, He became a living vine that would produce much fruit. The moment a person chooses to repent of all sin and believe in the saving work of Jesus, God makes that person a new vine.

The new believer is planted in good soil, God’s word, and near many waters, the Holy Spirit. From that moment forward, God expects the believer to produce branches, new believers, to bear fruit, change in character to match that of Jesus, and to become a majestic vine, producing and doing God’s will more and more all the time.

You have been grafted into the Vine of Jesus Christ as a believer. God now expects you to do what Jesus has done, produce more branches and much fruit, due to obedience and faith in Christ Jesus and leading by the Holy Spirit. Do not allow yourself to continue to be a dead vine as the world is dead in sin but be renewed and changed. Become a productive believer in Jesus, changing the world around you as you are led by God.

Are you a vine that is producing fruit? Or are you a dead vine?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be planted in the good soil of God’s word; that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit; that you will produce much fruit and many branches; and that you will be majestic for God as you do His will.

Photo by David Köhler on Unsplash