What I Noticed Today (Ezekiel 16-17)
Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 16 depicts the infant city of Jerusalem, whom God protects and watches over as it grows. When it is old enough, God becomes her (Jerusalem’s) husband.
In verses 1-5, the word of the Lord comes to Ezekiel. God speaks of the history of Jerusalem. It had been occupied by other nations up until the time David conquered it (2 Samuel 5:6-9). In those days, a baby had its umbilical cord cut and was then rubbed with salt (to dry the skin), then wrapped in swaddling clothes. But God said Jerusalem, in its infancy, was not treated this way. In fact, says God, the baby (Jerusalem) was thrown into the field because it was abhorred.
Note: It was not uncommon in the ancient world to throw an unwanted or deformed baby into a field and let it die.
In verses 6-7, God noticed the struggling infant (Jerusalem) in its blood and said live! He made the infant flourish as she grew.
In verses 8-14, God noticed the young woman was now old enough for love (marriage), so He covered her nakedness and made a covenant with her to protect her, and she became His. (Similar to the scene in Ruth 3:9) God described clothing His betrothed in costly garments and jewelry and provided her with the best food.
In verses 15-22, Jerusalem saw her beauty and became prideful. She gave herself as a prostitute to other nations worshipping foreign gods (started with Solomon, 1 Kings 11:17-13). The very things God had given to her, she lavished on foreign gods. They even sacrificed their children to foreign gods (Leviticus 18:21). She had become so evil she had forgotten her beginnings with God.
In verses 23-29, Israel expanded its evil practices by building many high places and worshipping foreign gods there. She prostituted herself by worshipping foreign gods from Egypt, Philistia, Assyria, and Babylon (Chaldea).
In verses 30-34, Jerusalem was like a brazen prostitute who refused payment yet preferred the company of strangers to her husband. She had even resorted to paying bribes to form alliances rather than depend on God
In verses 35-43, therefore, says God, because they have turned away from Him and chased after foreign gods He will gather up these nations and use them to destroy her (Jerusalem). He will judge them as adulterous women are judged (stoning). God said these nations would strip her (Jerusalem) of her riches and burn her down. They will stone you and cut you to pieces with the sword, and this will take place in the sight of many women. Once God’s judgment has been executed, He will not be angry with them any longer.
In verses 44-52, the second parable is an analogy between Jerusalem and her sisters Sodom and Gomorrah. God begins saying like a mother, like daughter. Jerusalem is like her mother (a Hittite) who loathed her husband. Jerusalem’s sisters are Sodom and Gomorrah and in many ways, became even more corrupt than they were. Jerusalem was so evil they made her sisters Sodom and Gomorrah appear righteous by comparison.
In verses 53-58, God offers hope in the form of restoration for each of the sisters Sodom, Gomorrah, and Jerusalem. However, before Jerusalem could be restored, she would bear the consequences of her sin (judgment).
In verses 59-63, God promised that even though they had broken the covenant with Him, He would remember the everlasting covenant with them (Jeremiah 31:31-34). In the Millennium (New Covenant) when Jerusalem is restored, the people will remember and be ashamed of their sins. God will make atonement for them, and they will know that He is Lord.
Ezekiel 17
Ezekiel 17 is a parable about two eagles and a vine that portray the rebellion of King Zedekiah against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.
In verses 1-2, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel directing him to relate a parable to the house of Israel.
In verses 3-6, the parable describes a powerful, colorful eagle with large wings who flew to Lebanon. He broke off the top of a cedar tree and planted it in a city near flowing waters. It sprouted and became a vine that put out boughs.
In verses 7-8, another powerful, colorful eagle came along, and the vine bent its roots and boughs towards this eagle so that the eagle would water it.
In verses 9-10, the Lord asks whether this vine will thrive. The second eagle will tear out its roots, and the plant will wither.
In verses 12-15, the Lord explains the meaning of the parable. The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar, and Lebanon represents Jerusalem. The eagle taking the top of the cedar tree represents Nebuchadnezzar attacking and defeating Jerusalem. Taking the top of the tree represents the leaders of Jerusalem being taken to Babylon and being replanted. The eagle, Nebuchadnezzar, planted a seed of the tree and it sprouted, representing Zedekiah being installed as the vassal king. Nebuchadnezzar made a covenant with the leaders, including Zedekiah that as long as they do not rebel, they would thrive. The second eagle is represented by Egypt whom Zedekiah attempted to make an alliance with them against Nebuchadnezzar.
In verses 16-21, the results for the vine were disastrous. By breaking the oath with Nebuchadnezzar, he vowed not to spare the city. Egypt would not come to rescue Jerusalem.
In verses 22-24, the Lord said He would take a shoot from the top of the cedar tree and plant it Himself on a mountain in Israel. There, the shoot would flourish, producing fruit and becoming a great cedar tree. Then, says the Lord, all the trees (nations) will know that He is the Lord.
Tomorrow: Ezekiel 18-20
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
