The people still living in Jerusalem are compared to a wild vine that serves no function other than fuel for the fire (15:4). No doubt the mention of an initial burning followed by a second toss into the fire has a historical referent. The first “fire” was that involved in Jehoiachin’s (and Ezekiel’s) exile. Some, however, came out of that first fire. Their escape will be short-lived. The second fire—…