Eze 19:1-4 | MHM | STEP | The Fall of the Royal Family; Fall of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. This section contains a sad song about the fall of Judah’s royal family. For a long time, the family of David ruled because of God’s promise. Now, because of their sin and failure, their power and honor are lost. The prophet is told to mourn for them, showing that even when God judges, it is right to feel sadness for what has been lost. The kings of Judah are called “princes of Israel” because their glory has faded and they have become corrupt, just like the kings of Israel before them. Ezekiel must express this sorrow deeply, to help the people understand the seriousness of their fall. v. 1 : God commands Ezekiel to make a lament, or a mourning song, for the princes of Israel. This means he should speak with sorrow about their downfall. Even though punishment is deserved, it is right to feel sad when God’s promises seem to be lost and when people fall so far.

‏ Ezekiel 19:1-4

The Fall of the Royal Family; Fall of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.

This section contains a sad song about the fall of Judah’s royal family. For a long time, the family of David ruled because of God’s promise. Now, because of their sin and failure, their power and honor are lost. The prophet is told to mourn for them, showing that even when God judges, it is right to feel sadness for what has been lost. The kings of Judah are called “princes of Israel” because their glory has faded and they have become corrupt, just like the kings of Israel before them. Ezekiel must express this sorrow deeply, to help the people understand the seriousness of their fall.

v. 1: God commands Ezekiel to make a lament, or a mourning song, for the princes of Israel. This means he should speak with sorrow about their downfall. Even though punishment is deserved, it is right to feel sad when God’s promises seem to be lost and when people fall so far.

v. 2: The prophet is told to compare the kingdom of Judah to a lioness. This lioness once raised strong rulers, but over time she became fierce, cruel, and wild. The leaders learned to act like tyrants, copying the ways of other nations instead of following God. The royal family taught their young princes to be harsh and to rule with force.

v. 3: The kings of Judah are compared to lion cubs. One of the lion’s whelps, Jehoahaz, became king and started to use his power for his own desires. He was cruel and violent, hurting his own people. He learned to “catch the prey and devour men.”

v. 4: Jehoahaz’s rule did not last long. Other nations heard about his cruelty and acted against him. He was captured and taken away to Egypt in chains, never to return. This fulfilled God’s judgment on him, and his people did not help him.