Our text for today is Ezekiel 17:1-10,22-24
I honestly don't recall having ever read this section of Scripture before...so it is really very new to me. I read the foot-notes in my Bible that explained many of the symbols that allude to kings and international politics in the time of Ezekiel.
The great eagle - Nebuchadnezzar - who took a city of merchants into exile, with the topmost shoot being one of the last kings - Jehoiachin. The seed, which becomes a vine, is Zedekiah, who was placed on the throne. God was warning the people that change was going to come - the time of exile was coming. The people's pride came before their fall.
Ezekiel speaks prophetically to the people of his day, and he also speaks to us. In verse 22 God promises new life - the continuation of the Davidic line - and new life and restoration in us. May our lives be like a cedar tree that is transplanted, nurtured and blessed by God. May our times of pain and pruning bring forth clippings for transplantation so that new life may flourish. May we be open to the pruning of God so that new life may spring forth.
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