v1-3: The vine produces fruit and wine to gladden the heart of man, and of God. But the wood of the vine is useless. The meaning in that Jerusalem missed her purpose, being to gladden the heart of God; and had become useless.

v4: Good only for burning, although it was not consumed, since the middle is only charred. The people were worthy of judgment.

v5: Useless before judgment, and useless after it; the nation would be "charred." We are amazed at God's grace that the useless people are restored. Jerusalem was burned partly some 10 years before final capture by Nebuchadnezzar.

v6-7: Explicit statement, of judgment upon the people living in Jerusalem. The 'parable' of the burning vine branch was of direct and immediate relevance to the people.

v8: Their persistent unfaithfulness demonstrated that they were useless to God. As a result the land would become desolate.