God commands lamentation for the princes of Israel.
Just to reorient ourselves on this journey through Ezekiel, We read about his calling and now we are in a long stretch on the various prophesies against Judah and Jerusalem. Ezekiel has used, signs, symbols, sermons, visions, and now we've narrowed the topic to certainty of and causes of the judgement on Judah and Israel.
Today, we read about what the lord had Ezekiel share with the captives in Babylon related to the the princes of Israel and they are commanded to lament them.
Just right off the bat, the captives would probably be demoralized to lament people they were counting on to come and save them and return them to the old life in Israel. Having to lament the princes meant giving up hope for the princes to be their heroes.
In verse 2, the lord speaks of the mother lion. My first thought was that this was Josiah's wife since the final princes were sons or grandsons of his. Just as a reminder, here's the final lineup of Judah's rulers:
- Josiah (640–609 BC): The last righteous king, died in battle against Egypt.
- Jehoahaz (609 BC): Son of Josiah, reigned for 3 months before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho II and taken to Egypt.
- Jehoiakim (609–598 BC): Another son of Josiah, installed by Egypt; his reign saw the rise of Babylon.
- Jehoiachin (598–597 BC): Son of Jehoiakim, reigned for 3 months before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar II.
- Zedekiah (597–586 BC): Final king and third son of Josiah; his reign ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and exile.
However, the Ryrie Study bible footnote explains that the lioness is an illustration of Judah itself–who made her offspring through the culture.
Whatever the case, her first lion learns to tear apart his prey. He was captured and brought to Egypt. This is Jehoahaz. He only served three months after his father, Josiah, died. He was, indeed, captured and taken to Egypt. He didn't live long after that.
Then the lioness waits for a bit and then makes her second cub the ruler. this is Jehoiakim. He rules for 11 years and spends most of that time amassing wealth for himself off the backs of his people, while also pretending to serve Nebuchadnezzar. Verse 6 states that he also learned to tear about men and devour them. Here's Jehoiakim's legacy according to verse 7:
‘He destroyed their fortified towers
And laid waste their cities;
And the land and its fullness were appalled
Because of the sound of his roaring. Ezekiel 19:7
Verse 8 reminds s that the nations didn't care for him and set against him on all sides, capturing him in their pit. Verse 9 describes how Jehoiakim was sent to Babylon to answer to Nebuchadnezzar for his betrayals.
The metaphor changes, starting in verse 10. Now the mother, the lioness, is compared with a vine in a vineyard. Well watered and well cared for. It was fruitful with lots of branches. the branches were strong enough to be a royal scepter and grew so high it was in the clouds.
Terrible things ended up happening to that majestic branch in verse 12:
- plucked in fury
- cast down to the ground from the clouds
- east win dried up it's fruit (no roots ion the ground anymore)
- It's strong branches were torn off and withered
- it was consumed by fire
Talk about a fall from grace.
This references the final ruler, Zedekiah, who is plucked out by Nebuchadnezzar for his rebellion.
Now that branch has been planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.
Verse 14 closes out the chapter by describing the burnt branch. The fire has gone out, but the shoots and fruits have been lost for future growth. No strong branches are left in it. No scepter can be made from any of the branches anymore.
The final sentence reminds us that this is a lamentation.
Not a lot to interpret there. It's a pretty thin and obvious metaphor. I hope some of the captives in Babylon are starting to internalize this repeated message.
Also worth noting and finding hope in is the fact that this is a lamentation and that facts is reiterated on the front and back. God sounds a lot less furious and more neutrally direct. I'm sure the change in tone is still sad, but not wrathful.
A culture makes its leaders and the leaders reinforce the culture. It's important for Christians to lovingly, firmly, and consistently influence the culture. It matters.
Amen.