Ezekiel

Ezekiel 17: God plants what will flourish

Begin in prayer

Before God explains the eagles and vine, let us listen to the Lord who rules over kings. Ask Him to quiet our hearts and be near our family, teaching us to recognize Christ as we read Ezekiel 17.

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you.

Zechariah 4:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Please help us understand Your rule and see Jesus, the King whose kingdom will never end. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God gives Ezekiel a riddle about two eagles and a vine. He explains that Babylon took Jerusalem's king away and appointed a royal descendant under an oath. The new king rebels by seeking Egypt's horses and soldiers, like a vine turning toward another eagle. God will judge his broken oath, bring him to Babylon to die and scatter those left after the sword. Then the LORD promises to plant a tender cedar twig that will grow, bear fruit and shelter birds of every kind. All trees will know that He brings down the high and makes the dry flourish.

As you read Ezekiel 17, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God brings down the high and establishes what He chooses to flourish.

The first eagle pictures Babylon's king taking Jerusalem's king away, while the low vine pictures the dependent kingdom he establishes by covenant. The history names these kings as Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiachin and the appointed Zedekiah (2 Kings 24 verses 8 to 17). Keeping the covenant would let that lowered kingdom stand, so reaching toward Egypt is rebellion against the terms of its continued life. Egypt's horses and soldiers cannot remove the guilt of the oath Zedekiah breaks. God calls it His own oath because the king swore by God, as 2 Chronicles 36 verse 13 explains. The LORD's net therefore makes the apparent search for stronger support end in captivity and death. His own planting answers this failed treachery with a tender cedar twig that becomes fruitful and shelters birds of every kind. Bringing down the high and raising the low shows that a kingdom's future depends on His rule over what grows and falls.

How does Ezekiel 17 show us that God brings down the high and establishes what He chooses to flourish?

God explains the danger of breaking an oath.

Babylon set a royal descendant over the land under an oath (verses 11 to 15). Keeping that covenant would let the kingdom stand. His search for Egypt's help is rebellion against that bond.

God will judge the king's betrayal.

God calls the despised oath His own and will bring its breach on the king's head (verses 16 to 21). Pharaoh's army cannot help him. God will bring him to Babylon and judge his trespass there.

God will make His own planting flourish.

God will take a tender cedar twig and plant it on Israel's high mountain (verses 22 to 24). It will bear fruit and shelter birds of every kind. The LORD brings high trees down and makes dry trees flourish.

Memorize

I, Yahweh, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish.

Ezekiel 17:24

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I trust my own promises? Have I come to Jesus, the faithful King?

The king's broken oath ends in judgment, yet God promises His own planting. He says, “I will also take some of the lofty top of the cedar, and will plant it.” The hope of a flourishing kingdom rests in what the Lord will do.

God has given the throne of David to Jesus, whose kingdom has no end (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33). This King laid down His life for His people. On the cross He carried their sins and endured God's wrath against their rebellion. He completed their salvation, and nothing is left for them to finish paying. He rose from the dead to reign forever.

Turn from your sin and entrust yourself to this faithful King. Come to Him for the forgiveness He gives to those who believe. He is able to save people whose own promises have failed. This faithful King receives repentant sinners and teaches His people to keep their word before Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the risen King who died to save His people from their sins. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His rule and the kingdom He establishes, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:36

Lord, thank You for ruling over kings and giving us Jesus, the faithful King. Forgive our broken promises and false hopes, and help each one repent and believe in Him. Please make us honest in our words and ready to trust what You establish. Amen.