Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

The last of the series of three parables is about eagles and vines. 

The parable begins with a magnificent eagle that snips off a fresh shoot of cedar and carries it off to a foreign land (vv. 1–4). This first eagle then takes a native seedling and carefully nurtures it into a vine. This vine responds to the eagle as the bird intended (vv. 5–6). Then a second, less impressive eagle appears, triggering a reorientation of the vine: it now stretches towards this second eagle, although it lacked nothing from the first (vv. 7–8). 

Ezekiel essentially asks: ‘Will this vine flourish, now that it has switched allegiance to the second eagle?’ Of course not! Now the vine is exposed, vulnerable to the destructive east wind from the desert. Also, the vine has incurred the wrath of the first eagle, who has every right to uproot the vine and strip its leaves (vv. 9–10). 

What is the meaning of this parable? The first eagle is Nebuchadnezzar, who attacked Jerusalem and deported King Jehoiachin and the elite (portrayed as the crown of the cedar) to Babylon in 597 BC (2 Kgs. 24:10–17). The Babylonian king appointed Zedekiah (depicted as the lowly vine) to the throne (2 Kgs. 24:18). But instead of grateful loyalty, he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and sought help from the Pharaoh of Egypt, the second eagle (vv. 11–15). Of course, Zedekiah will suffer for his breaking his oath (vv. 16– 17, 19–21). His mistake was more than just treachery; he offended God Himself (v. 18). For when he swore his loyalty, it would have been sworn in the Lord’s name (cf. 2 Chr. 36:13). 

Finally, we return to the cedar sprig of vv. 3–4. Now the function of the first magnificent eagle is given to God, as He Himself will take a shoot from the cedar and plant it on a high mountain (vv. 22– 23). This points to a time when Jehoiachin and his line can look forward to a glorious future dynasty, a time when God will be universally acknowledged (vv. 23–24). This will certainly happen because, unlike King Jehoiachin, what God says, He will do (v. 24). He has the power to exalt and humble. 

Reflection

God still uses evil worldly empires to fulfill His purposes (cf. Hab. 1). Praise God that He remains in sovereign control over all.