“Ezekeil’s Riddle”

 

BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 17-19


Ezekiel 17 is a riddle for the Israelites that is about how Babylon took their princes and mighty men from them. Israel had made a covenant with Babylon, but the Israelites broke it by turning to Egypt for aid. God says that this will never work, and that they will all be cast down. The riddle is in the form of a story about an eagle who takes the topmost branch of a cedar tree and carries it to another land, and plants it there, but another eagle tends it and the tree grows towards that eagle (that eagle being Egypt). The point of the passage is to follow God’s instructions, for He instructed them to go to Babylon, because it was inevitable. Instead they turned back to Egypt (which we found in Jeremiah). Sometimes His instructions don’t seem to make sense, but in the end, He is God, so He knows what He’s doing. However, the last verse is what struck me most: "And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." (Ezekiel 17:24)

God does everything the opposite way to what we might expect. He hates the proud and loves the humble, he loves a broken spirit. In keeping with the theme of the book, God will dry up the green tree which looks like it doesn’t need any help, and make the dry tree (which looks like nothing could ever save it) flourish, so that we know that He is the LORD. Only the LORD could do such a thing, and so doing, this brings Him glory. Let’s remember this as we go through the day: God makes the dry trees to flourish – not the green trees. Let’s come before Him with broken spirits and contrite hearts.                                                          

-Selected

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more