Riddle for a Message

EZEKIEL     CHAPTER 17

Ezekiel received a riddle message from the Lord which he was instructed to tell to the people of Israel.  The Lord said a great eagle with broad wings came to Lebanon and took hold of the highest brand of a cedar tree and plucked off the topmost shoot and carried it to a city full of merchants, and planted it.

Then the Eagle planted one seedling near a broad river where it would grow as quickly as a willow. It took root and grew into a low spreading vine. Its branches turned up toward the eagle and its roots grew down beneath it. Soon it had strong branches and luxuriant leaves. But then another great eagle with broad wings and full plumage came along. So the vine sent roots and branches out toward him for water, even though the vine was already planted in good soil and had plenty of water.

Now the Lord asks if he should let this vine grow and prosper. No, he will pull it out and cut off its fruit and let it die. Then he would pull it out and transplant it. And the vine would wither away completely when the east wind blows against it. It will die in the same good soil where it had grown so well.

Then God told Ezekiel to tell the rebels of Israel to try to understand the riddle of the eagles. God said he would tell them: the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took away her king and princes and brought them to Babylon. He made a treaty with a member of the royal family and made him take an oath of loyalty. He exiled Israel's most influential leaders so Isreal could not become strong again and revolt. Only by keeping her treaty with Babylon could Israel maintain her national identity.

This man of Israel's royal family rebelled against Babylon, sending ambassadors to Egypt to request an army. But the lord would not allow Israel to break sworn treaties. So he let the king of Israel die in Babylon. And the Pharaoh and his army would fall to the king of Babylon in a siege.

The Lord said that he would punish Israel's king and capture him in his snare and return him to Babylon for treason. Then the Lord would take a tender shoot from the top of a tall cedar and plant it on the top of Israel's highest mountain where it would become a noble cedar sending forth branches and producing seed. Birds would nest in it and all the trees would know the Lord.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: This chapter is full of symbols: the first eagle represent King Nebuchadnezzar who planted Zedekiah as king in Jerusalem. But Zedekiah rebelled and allied with Egypt who was the second eagle. It is interesting to note that bible researchers found Ezekiel was in Babylon when he predicted these events and Jeremiah was the prophet in Judah was also predicting the same events.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY?Ezekiel ends his prophecy with hope. Allegiances with foreign nations only resulted in disappointment. Because only God could give them the true hope.

The tender shoot at the end of the chapter is the Messiah whose kingdom would become the shelter for all who came to him. He was the hope in those days as he is our hope today and always.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson Hunter who is lost and afraid and far away from home.

Pray for Garry and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and who recently underwent major surgery.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our farmers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought. Pray for us consumers who will face higher grocery prices and the poor who won’t be able to adjust what little budget they have.