Eze 17:1-2 | MHM | STEP | 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 ). Parables are stories with a deeper meaning. God uses this method to make the people think about their actions and choices.

‏ Ezekiel 17:1-2

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.