God asks what use is the wood of a vine compared to other trees: it is good only for fuel. So the people of Jerusalem will be treated as fuel because they have been unfaithful.
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying ,
2 Son of man , What is the vine tree more than any tree , or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest ?
3 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work ? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel ; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned . Is it meet for any work ?
5 Behold, when it was whole , it was meet for no work : how much less shall it be meet yet for any work , when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned ?
6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD ; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest , which I have given to the fire for fuel , so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem .
7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire , and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD , when I set my face against them.
8 And I will make the land desolate , because they have committed a trespass , saith the Lord GOD .