Ezekiel 17: A Parable of Broken Covenants and a Promise of Restoration
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
And say, Thus saith the Lord God; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord God; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
And hath taken of the king’s seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken it.
Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord 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: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.
Ezekiel 17, a pivotal chapter in the book of Ezekiel, unveils God's message through a compelling parable. This chapter speaks of broken covenants, the consequences of unfaithfulness, and ultimately, the promise of a future King. Ezekiel is instructed by the Lord to present a riddle and a parable to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 17:2). In biblical terms, a riddle is a puzzle that needs to be solved. The chapter uses vivid imagery to illustrate the political turmoil and spiritual decline of Judah, while simultaneously offering a glimpse of hope through divine intervention. Understanding Ezekiel 17 is key to grasping God's perspective on covenant loyalty and His ultimate plan for redemption.
The Two Eagles and the Vine: An Allegory of Judah's Fate
The core of Ezekiel 17 lies in its allegorical narrative featuring two great eagles and a vine. To fully appreciate the meaning, we must understand the symbolism embedded within the imagery.
The first eagle (Ezekiel 17:3-4), representing Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, arrives in Lebanon (symbolizing Jerusalem) and plucks off the topmost shoot (King Jehoiachin). This alludes to Nebuchadnezzar's initial invasion of Judah in 597 BC, when he deposed Jehoiachin and exiled him to Babylon, replacing him with Zedekiah. Nebuchadnezzar takes the "topmost shoot" to a land of merchants and sets it in a city of traders.
Nebuchadnezzar also takes some of the seed of the land and plants it in fertile soil, placing it beside abundant waters. He sets it like a willow (Ezekiel 17:5). The planted seed sprouts and becomes a low, spreading vine. Its branches turn toward the eagle, and its roots remain under it; so it became a vine and produced shoots and branches. This depicts Judah and Jerusalem remaining intact, though weakened, after the initial invasion (Ezekiel 17:5-6, explained in Ezekiel 17:13-14). The vine's low stature signifies Judah's humbled state under Babylonian rule. Nebuchadnezzar, by installing Zedekiah as king, entered into a covenant with him, demanding loyalty to Babylon (Ezekiel 17:13). Judah was weakened further by the removal of its leading men, but the kingdom would survive if Zedekiah kept his oath.
However, the vine (Zedekiah) rebels, turning its roots toward another great eagle (Ezekiel 17:7), symbolizing Egypt, seeking military assistance to break free from Babylon's control (Ezekiel 17:7-8, explained in Ezekiel 17:15). This act of rebellion, seeking help from Egypt, demonstrates Zedekiah's lack of faith in God and his disregard for the covenant he made with Nebuchadnezzar.
Zedekiah's revolt is portrayed as foolish and futile because he finds no aid in Egypt (Ezekiel 17:15). Despite Pharaoh's powerful army, no help would come during the attack on Jerusalem (Ezekiel 17:17).
The Consequences of Covenant Breaking
Ezekiel 17:9-10, explained further in Ezekiel 17:16, 18-21, reveals the consequences of Zedekiah's actions. Nebuchadnezzar would uproot the vine (Zedekiah and Jerusalem) (Ezekiel 17:9), and it would wither completely (Ezekiel 17:10). God makes it clear that Zedekiah would die in Babylon (Ezekiel 17:16) because he despised the oath by breaking the covenant (Ezekiel 17:18).
God hates covenant-breakers, even those who made a covenant with a pagan king! Ezekiel 17:19-21 provides a detailed prophecy of what happened to Zedekiah and his army when they tried to escape as the Babylonians broke into Jerusalem.
A Tender Sprig: A Promise of Hope and Restoration
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, Ezekiel 17:22-24 offers a ray of hope. This chapter of destruction, desolation, and judgment ends with a prophecy not only of restoration and hope for the faithful remnant, but also of the coming of the Messiah who will establish his glorious kingdom. God promises to take a tender sprig from the top of the cedar (representing the Davidic line) and plant it on a high and lofty mountain (Mount Zion). This sprig will grow into a majestic cedar, providing shelter for all kinds of birds. The phrase "tender sprig" (Ezekiel 17:22) alludes to another prophecy regarding Messiah: "A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). Although the nation was reduced to a stump by the judgments Ezekiel was announcing, there was grace.
This prophecy speaks of the coming Messiah, who will establish God's kingdom and offer refuge to all nations. This promise may have seemed remote to the people of Ezekiel's day, especially with judgment impending; nevertheless, God sealed it with his word. These verses also picture other nations that will come under Messiah’s reign as he rules the world from his throne in Jerusalem.
Relevance for Today
Ezekiel 17 speaks powerfully to us today. It underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness, not only to God but also to our fellow human beings. Our words and commitments matter, and breaking them carries serious consequences. Furthermore, the promise of the "tender sprig" reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God's hope and restoration are always within reach. Just as God remained faithful to His covenant with David, He remains faithful to us, offering forgiveness, healing, and a future filled with promise through Jesus Christ.
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
And say, Thus saith the Lord God; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord God; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
And hath taken of the king’s seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken it.
Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord 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: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.
Ezekiel 17, a pivotal chapter in the book of Ezekiel, unveils God's message through a compelling parable. This chapter speaks of broken covenants, the consequences of unfaithfulness, and ultimately, the promise of a future King. Ezekiel is instructed by the Lord to present a riddle and a parable to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 17:2). In biblical terms, a riddle is a puzzle that needs to be solved. The chapter uses vivid imagery to illustrate the political turmoil and spiritual decline of Judah, while simultaneously offering a glimpse of hope through divine intervention. Understanding Ezekiel 17 is key to grasping God's perspective on covenant loyalty and His ultimate plan for redemption.
The Two Eagles and the Vine: An Allegory of Judah's Fate
The core of Ezekiel 17 lies in its allegorical narrative featuring two great eagles and a vine. To fully appreciate the meaning, we must understand the symbolism embedded within the imagery.
The first eagle (Ezekiel 17:3-4), representing Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, arrives in Lebanon (symbolizing Jerusalem) and plucks off the topmost shoot (King Jehoiachin). This alludes to Nebuchadnezzar's initial invasion of Judah in 597 BC, when he deposed Jehoiachin and exiled him to Babylon, replacing him with Zedekiah. Nebuchadnezzar takes the "topmost shoot" to a land of merchants and sets it in a city of traders.
Nebuchadnezzar also takes some of the seed of the land and plants it in fertile soil, placing it beside abundant waters. He sets it like a willow (Ezekiel 17:5). The planted seed sprouts and becomes a low, spreading vine. Its branches turn toward the eagle, and its roots remain under it; so it became a vine and produced shoots and branches. This depicts Judah and Jerusalem remaining intact, though weakened, after the initial invasion (Ezekiel 17:5-6, explained in Ezekiel 17:13-14). The vine's low stature signifies Judah's humbled state under Babylonian rule. Nebuchadnezzar, by installing Zedekiah as king, entered into a covenant with him, demanding loyalty to Babylon (Ezekiel 17:13). Judah was weakened further by the removal of its leading men, but the kingdom would survive if Zedekiah kept his oath.
However, the vine (Zedekiah) rebels, turning its roots toward another great eagle (Ezekiel 17:7), symbolizing Egypt, seeking military assistance to break free from Babylon's control (Ezekiel 17:7-8, explained in Ezekiel 17:15). This act of rebellion, seeking help from Egypt, demonstrates Zedekiah's lack of faith in God and his disregard for the covenant he made with Nebuchadnezzar.
Zedekiah's revolt is portrayed as foolish and futile because he finds no aid in Egypt (Ezekiel 17:15). Despite Pharaoh's powerful army, no help would come during the attack on Jerusalem (Ezekiel 17:17).
The Consequences of Covenant Breaking
Ezekiel 17:9-10, explained further in Ezekiel 17:16, 18-21, reveals the consequences of Zedekiah's actions. Nebuchadnezzar would uproot the vine (Zedekiah and Jerusalem) (Ezekiel 17:9), and it would wither completely (Ezekiel 17:10). God makes it clear that Zedekiah would die in Babylon (Ezekiel 17:16) because he despised the oath by breaking the covenant (Ezekiel 17:18).
God hates covenant-breakers, even those who made a covenant with a pagan king! Ezekiel 17:19-21 provides a detailed prophecy of what happened to Zedekiah and his army when they tried to escape as the Babylonians broke into Jerusalem.
A Tender Sprig: A Promise of Hope and Restoration
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, Ezekiel 17:22-24 offers a ray of hope. This chapter of destruction, desolation, and judgment ends with a prophecy not only of restoration and hope for the faithful remnant, but also of the coming of the Messiah who will establish his glorious kingdom. God promises to take a tender sprig from the top of the cedar (representing the Davidic line) and plant it on a high and lofty mountain (Mount Zion). This sprig will grow into a majestic cedar, providing shelter for all kinds of birds. The phrase "tender sprig" (Ezekiel 17:22) alludes to another prophecy regarding Messiah: "A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). Although the nation was reduced to a stump by the judgments Ezekiel was announcing, there was grace.
This prophecy speaks of the coming Messiah, who will establish God's kingdom and offer refuge to all nations. This promise may have seemed remote to the people of Ezekiel's day, especially with judgment impending; nevertheless, God sealed it with his word. These verses also picture other nations that will come under Messiah’s reign as he rules the world from his throne in Jerusalem.
Relevance for Today
Ezekiel 17 speaks powerfully to us today. It underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness, not only to God but also to our fellow human beings. Our words and commitments matter, and breaking them carries serious consequences. Furthermore, the promise of the "tender sprig" reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God's hope and restoration are always within reach. Just as God remained faithful to His covenant with David, He remains faithful to us, offering forgiveness, healing, and a future filled with promise through Jesus Christ.