Ezekiel 19
Scripture
“This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”” Ezekiel 19:14b NIV
Observation-What does it say?
Ezekiel is writing a lament over the nation of Israel as a result of their rebellion. Miriam Webster dictionary defines lament as "expressing sorrow, regret or unhappiness about something." The tone and level of sorrow in this writing is very much like a eulogy speech given at a funeral. It focuses on the deep sorrow as a consequence of the nation's rebellion, through parabolic writing.
Understanding-What does it mean?
"This chapter contains two beautiful examples of the parabolic kind of writing; the one lamenting the sad catastrophe of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim, Ezekiel 19:1-9, and the other describing the desolation and captivity of the whole people, Ezekiel 19:10-14. In the first parable, the lioness is Jerusalem. The first of the young lions is Jehoahaz, deposed by the king of Egypt; and the second lion is Jehoiakim, whose rebellion drew on himself the vengeance of the king of Babylon. In the second parable the vine is the Jewish nation, which long prospered, its land being fertile, its princes powerful, and its people flourishing; but the judgments of God, in consequence of their guilt, had now destroyed a great part of the people, and doomed the rest to captivity." (Clarke commentary)
Life Application
We reap what we sow. Either we are reaping the benefits of being surrendered to Christ or reaping the consequences of continual rebellion against Him.
Dear Lord, we do not desire a life where we are captive to our old life, but rather free from captivity as a new creation in You. I pray we would stay connected to You as our vine and experience the fruitful benefits, instead of reaping the consequences of disconnecting from relationship with You. Amen.