Bible Studies
A Riddle and Parable of Two Eagles (Ezek. 17:1-10)
Series: God Speaks to Our People In ExileIntroduction:
1. You are familiar with Jesus’ use of parables. He used them to teach poignant lessons. At the same time however, parables may carry a certain ambiguity. They are both clear and mysterious at the same time. 2. This is also the case with riddles. Samson said, “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (Judges 14:14). 3. In Ezek. 17 there is an account that is both a riddle and a parable. Although the meaning is clear there is still an element of mysteriousness about it.Discussion:
I. The parable (17:1-10).A. Who does the first eagle represent?
B. Who is the top of the cedar that is plucked off?
C. What does it mean that this top of the cedar is “set in a city of traders”?
D. Who is the second eagle?
E. Who is the vine that is planted in good soil? What does it mean that after it is planted it is rooted up?
II. The historical context gives us some insight (2 Kings 24; 2 Chron. 36).A. Jehoiachin was king in Judah when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon took him captive to Babylon in 597 B.C.
B. The king of Babylon made Zedekiah king in Jehoiachin’s place. When he rebelled, thinking he could depend upon his allegiance with Egypt for protection, he too was taken captive to Babylon.
C. It would seem that the first eagle would be the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar). Jehoiachin would be the top of the cedar that Nebuchadnezzar removed. Nebuchadnezzar replaced him with king Zedekiah who also rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and was taken captive to Babylon.
III. The word of the Lord gives the meaning (17:11-18).A. “The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king (Jehoachin) and princes and brought them to him in Babylon” (12).
B. “He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him” (fits Zedekiah) (13).
1. The Lord asks if Zedekiah can escape having broken his oath and covenant?
2. The answer: “He will die in Babylon.” Pharaoh will not help him.
3. Zedekiah had promised allegiance to Babylon, but had despised the oath and broken the covenant. Now he would die in Babylon as a result of his disloyalty. But there is more to the story.
IV. Zedekiah had done to the Lord the same thing he had done to the king of Babylon. He had despised his oath and his covenant with God and so it was God who was bringing him captive to Babylon (19-21).A. Thus the covenant of this chapter harks back to the marriage covenant of chapter 16.
1. Jerusalem had been unfaithful to her marriage covenant with God.
2. She had “despised the oath by breaking the covenant” (16:59). She was doomed to bear the penalty of her lewdness and her abominable idolatries (16:58).
3. Thus by the judgment of God men would know that it was the Lord who had spoken (17:21).
B. But like chapter 16 (16:60-63) there is a message of hope (17:22-24).
1. God returns to the account of the first eagle.
2. The great eagle is God.
3. He will take a sprig for the top of the cedar and plant it on a high mountain.
4. Similar language is used in Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12.
5. This sprig is the messianic king who provides shelter and blessing for birds of every kind. Cf. Isa. 11:1-2, 10.
6. Thus by the manifestation of the grace of God men would know that it was the Lord who had spoken (17:24).
V. What are the implications of this account for us in our 21st century context?A. Israel’s response to the crisis focused on the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause of the problem.
1. Her focus was on Babylon and thus she sought deliverance from Egypt.
2. But the source of her problem was her abandonment of the Lord. It was His covenant that she had violated. The problems with Babylon were only the result of her violation of her relationship with God.
3. We continue to worry over our political, military and governmental situation in this country. Governments and empires continually struggle for power.
4. Religious organizations are concerned about social, governmental and political affairs.
5. Families too focus concern on these issues. We wonder what things will be like in the future for our children.
6. All such concerns are noble, but are we evading the real issue—Have we abandoned the Lord? Forgotten our covenant with Him? The problem is not so much governmental and political as it is individual. Israel was a theocracy. The U.S.A. is not. But individually we are the people of God. Are we faithful to our covenant?
B. Those who claim to be the people of God must take Him seriously in all aspects of life. Are we taking seriously the promises that we make? Are we loyal to the covenants that we make? In business, in marriage, in other areas?
1. Zedekiah had promised loyalty to Babylon. Jerusalem had promised loyalty to God.
2. But was unfaithful to these commitments.
3. You have promised loyalty to God. Are you being loyal?
C. One of the things that is evidenced in Ezek. 17 is that God is in control. He is sovereign over nations.
1. No nation has become so powerful that God cannot bring it down in a moment.
2. No nation has become so low that God cannot raise it up.
3. God’s objectives will ultimately be achieved. He judges those who are disobedient and empowers those who show respect to Him.
D. Even though men violate their commitments, God remains true to His.
1. Zedekiah was unfaithful to his commitment to Babylon. Jerusalem was unfaithful to their commitment to God. But God was faithful to His commitments. He did not abandon His covenant.
2. Even though they (we) are unfaithful to Him He has promised hope to us through the sprig He has planted in the Messiah.
Conclusion:
1. The great eagle has preserved life in the sprig. 2. He is the one that provides a nesting place for us. 3. He will cause us to thrive if we will be faithful to our covenant with Him.
