Ezekiel chapter 17 is an interesting chapter full of riddle and parable and most importantly- a beautiful picture of God’s sovereignty.

Thus says the Lord God: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of a cedar.  He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants. (17:3-4)

THE FIRST EAGLE:
The eagle in this story represents Babylon (and as we read in Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon during this time).
Lebanon represents Israel and the topmost of the branch was Judah’s king, Jehoiachin.
The seeds and the vine represented the descendants of King Jehoiachin, and specifically Zedekiah.

Summary: The first eagle (Babylon) made an agreement with Zedekiah and then took important men of Israel into captivity as a method of keeping Zedekiah in check.

"And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it." (17:7)

THE SECOND EAGLE:
The eagle in this story represents Egypt. Even though Nebuchadnezzar set up Zedekiah with favorable circumstances that would have allowed Israel to prosper as a tributary kingdom, Zedekiah decided he would not honor his oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar.  He turned, instead to Egypt, hoping for an ally that would support him and aid him in his rebellion.

In the OT, an oath was a binding agreement. To violate an oath or covenant was considered an offense against God himself. God expected Zedekiah to honor his oaths (even to Nebuchadnezzar).  Because of Zedekiah’s treachery, God is angered and holds Zedekiah accountable for his actions.
“As I live, declares the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke in Babylon he shall die. Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him…” (17:16-17)

Application: How important do we consider the agreements that we enter into with others.  Do we try to hedge around the fine print, or come up with excuses or compromises? Do we completely disregard what we have agreed to do? Do we realize that we represent God to a fallen world and we either honor or dishonor Him based on our words and actions?

THE BRANCH OF RESTORATION:
God remains sovereign in all the circumstances and all the failures of man.

Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out.  I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar.  And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches, birds of every sort will nest.” (17:22-23)

The “tender one” signifies Christ the Messiah.
“I will plant it” signifies that this is the work of God alone. God brings salvation to man.
“Birds of every sort” signifies the Church which will be comprised of Jews, Gentiles, representatives of every nation.

This chapter ends with a very important reminder of God’s total control over all circumstances.  "I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it."
No matter how powerful a nation may become or a leader exalt himself to be, God can destroy and snuff them out.  No matter how limited and depleted a nation or person may be, God can always control the circumstances and at any time, choose to exalt and raise them up for His purpose and glory.

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