Ezekiel 17

1-22 The Two Eagles and the Vine

“O mortal, propound a riddle, and speak an allegory to the house of Israel…”

1-6 A great eagle came to Lebanon, took the top of the cedar and set it in a merchant city. Then he took a seed from the land and placed it in fertile soil where it became a low vine, spreading out into branches and foliage.

7-10 The vine stretched its roots and branches toward another great eagle so that he would water it, and it was transplanted to good soil by abundant waters, so it would produce and become a noble vine. But will it prosper? Won’t God pull it up by its roots, not needing an army to do it? Will it thrive after the transplant?”

“Say now to the rebellious house: Do you now know what these things mean?”

• The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took the king and officials back to Babylon, making a pact with royal offspring in order to humble the land.
• But the offspring rebelled against Babylon by appealing to Egypt for an army and horses.
• As I live, so shall he die in Babylon, with no help from Pharaoh, because he despised his oath.
• He also despised his covenant with me; therefore he will be caught in my snare, and “you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Israel Exalted at Last

22-24 I will take a sprig from the top of the cedar and will plant it on a high mountain that it will bear fruit. Under it every kind of bird will live, and all the trees will know that I am the LORD.

I bring low the high tree,
I make high the low tree,
I dry up the green tree
and make the dry tree flourish.
I the LORD have spoken;
I will accomplish it.

Another prophecy of the church, its establishment in Jerusalem, and how all kinds of people will be under its protection – both Jew and Gentile. And God reiterating his power to accomplish whatever he wills.