Ezekiel 17
The Parable of the Two Eagles This section introduces a parable that God gives to Ezekiel. It is about two great eagles and a vine, and it is meant to explain what is happening to the rulers and people of Judah. The story is a picture of the political relationships between Babylon, Judah, and Egypt, and shows how the people of Jerusalem have broken their promises to Babylon and turned to Egypt for help. God uses this parable to teach about faithfulness, judgment, and hope for the future.v. 1: The word of the Lord comes again to Ezekiel. God tells him to give a parable, or riddle, to the people of Israel (Ezekiel 17:1–2 a). Parables are stories with a deeper meaning. God uses this method to make the people think about their actions and choices. v. 2: In the parable, there is a great eagle with large wings and colorful feathers. This eagle comes to Lebanon and takes the top branch from a cedar tree. He carries it to a city of merchants, and plants it in a field by many waters, like a willow tree (Ezekiel 17:3–5 b). The eagle represents the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar). The cedar branch stands for the king of Judah and his royal family. When the eagle takes the branch, it is a picture of Nebuchadnezzar removing King Jehoiachin and bringing him to Babylon. v. 3–6: The eagle plants a seed from the land and it grows into a low-spreading vine, not a tall tree. The vine turns toward the eagle for support. This represents how Nebuchadnezzar set up Zedekiah as a puppet king in Judah. Zedekiah had to depend on Babylon and was not truly strong on his own. – – – v. 7–8: Then another great eagle appears, with large wings and many feathers. The vine turns its roots and branches toward this second eagle, hoping to get water. This second eagle represents Egypt. The vine’s action means that the king of Judah (Zedekiah) looked to Egypt for help instead of trusting Babylon, breaking his oath to Nebuchadnezzar and to God (Ezekiel 17:7–8 c). – v. 9–10: God asks if the vine will prosper after turning to Egypt. The answer is no. God says the vine will be pulled up by its roots, wither, and die. No amount of effort from Egypt will save it. This is a warning that Judah’s plan to rebel against Babylon and trust Egypt will fail (Ezekiel 17:9–10 d). – v. 11–15: God explains the meaning of the parable. He says that the king of Judah broke his oath to the king of Babylon by sending messengers to Egypt and asking for help. God is angry because the king has broken his promise, not only to Babylon, but also to God, since the oath was made in God’s name. Because of this, God says the king will be punished and will not escape (Ezekiel 17:11–21 e). – – – – v. 16–21: God says that the king of Judah will die in Babylon, and that the people who try to escape will be caught and punished. God will make sure that the consequences come because they broke their promises and did not trust Him. – – – – – v. 22–24: God ends the parable with a message of hope. He says that He Himself will take a piece from the top of the cedar and plant it on a high mountain in Israel. This small branch will grow into a beautiful tree, and birds will nest in it. All the trees will know that God brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. This is a promise that even though Judah is judged for now, God will one day raise up a new king from David’s line—the Messiah—who will rule with justice and bring blessing to the people (Ezekiel 17:22–24 f).Promises of Mercy.: When the royal family of Judah was taken away by the Babylonians, people wondered if God’s promise to David had failed. God had promised that David’s descendants would always rule (his children should sit upon his throne for evermore) (Psalm 132:12 g). But because David’s descendants broke God’s covenant, they lost that blessing. Still, God’s promises do not fail. He planned to keep His promise in a new way. These verses show that God would raise up a new leader from David’s family and fulfill His word, especially through the Messiah, Jesus Christ.v. 22: God says He Himself will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar tree and plant it. This means God will choose someone from the royal family of David and give him a new start. People had tried to restore the kingdom by their own plans, but only God’s plan will succeed. God’s actions last forever (Daniel 2:44 h), while human efforts fail. The new planting, symbolizing the Messiah, will grow into a strong and glorious kingdom, offering shelter and blessings to all who come to it. This is a reminder that God is faithful to His promises and works out His plans for redemption in His perfect timing. v. 23: God promises to plant this branch on a high mountain in Israel. This partly happened when Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, led the people back from exile and rebuilt Jerusalem. But the full promise came true in Jesus, who is called the “Branch” and is the greatest son of David (Isaiah 53:2 i). Jesus’ kingdom started small, but grew great and strong. Just like a big tree gives shelter to many birds, Jesus’ kingdom welcomes people from every nation (Daniel 4:21 j). The church began in Israel, but now people from everywhere can belong to it (Isaiah 11:6 k). v. 24: God says that when all these things happen, everyone will know that he is in control. All the trees of the field shall know that God makes the tall trees fall and the low trees grow. He dries up green trees and makes dry trees flourish. This means God can humble the proud and lift up the humble. The kingdoms that seem strong, like Babylon, will fall, but God will make David’s family important again. God’s promises are sure. He says, I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it (Ezekiel 17:24 l). What God says, he will do, because he never lies (Numbers 23:19 m).
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