Ezekiel 16 - 17 (31st August) - Weiling

Ezekiel 16

In this chapter, Ezekiel used the allegory and image of an unfaithful wife to illustrate the sins of Judah. Like a wife who made use of what the husband gave her to prostitute herself, and turns her back against her husband, Judah betrays the Lord by going after other gods. And spiritual adultery would lead to judgment.

But note that the judgment was also so that Judah would stop playing the harlot (temple prostitute) [v.41, 43] and stop her sinning and to remember the days of her youth. Similarly, we should always try to recall the days of our “youth” – our first love for God, when our heart was tender, and we delighted simply in God’s love. Remember God’s covenant.


Ezekiel 17

The riddle:
“great eagle”(v.3) = Nebuchadnezzar
“highest branch of the cedar” (v.3) = house of David
“the top of his young twigs” (v.4) = Jehoiachin
“land of merchants” (v.4) = Babylon
“seed of the land” (v.5) = Zedekiah
“another great eagle” (v.7) = king of Egypt

We see actually the interpretation of the riddle from v.12-15
The house of David was taken captive into Babylon but it was like placed in fertile soil and abundant water. Importantly, they made a covenant. We see in v.19 that oaths and covenants are important to God. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But the house of David tried to rebel and seek help from Egypt instead. However, in v.24 we see hope. The worthless dead vine will be replaced by a productive cedar and God’s people will be restored to proper relationship with Him.