“Ye Shall Know That I Am The Lord” Ezekiel “Ye Shall Know That I Am The Lord”

Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 The Parable of Two Eagles The parable stated (17:1-10) The parable explained (17:11-21) The literal history of what is being described is recorded in 2 Kings 24:8-20; Jeremiah 37:1-10; 44:30. The first eagle is Nebuchadnezzar. “Lebanon” is the land of Israel, and the “cedar” represents the people. The highest branch is king Jehoiachin who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar intended for Israel to grow as a small fruitful vine (vassal state), but the vine reached out toward “another great eagle” (the Egyptian Pharaoh Hophra), so Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it.

Jehoiachin’s provisions in Captivity (Jeremiah 52:31-34) Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 Jehoiachin’s provisions in Captivity (Jeremiah 52:31-34) “It is interesting that we have a biblical record mentioning Evil-merodach’s treatment of Jehoiachin (about 560 B.C.), and we have archaeological evidence of similar treatment at an earlier period.” (Ferrell Jenkins) “A collection of 300 tablets, found in the early twentieth century in Babylon, record provisions given to various workmen and captives, including kings. Four of them list supplies for “Yaukin king of Yakuda” — Jehoiachin king of Judah. The only one of the four with a date is from Nebuchadnezzar’s 13th year — five years after the Bible says Jehoiachin became a prisoner.” (mindrenewers.com) Jehoiachin’s Ration Tablet Berlin Museum

Jeremiah 44:30 Prophecy against Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) Apries, Hebrew Hophra, (died 567 BC, reigned 589–570 BC) Apries failed to help his ally King Zedekiah of Judah against the invading armies of Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, but after the fall of Jerusalem he received many Jewish refugees into Egypt. (Brittanica.com)

Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 The Parable of Two Eagles God would plant a twig from the cedar on a high mountain, and it would flourish and be “majestic.” (17:22-24) This may depict the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 2:1-4) God brings low and destroys His proud and disobedient people, but establishes and nurtures those who are humble.

Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 Individual Responsibility to God (Ezekiel 18) A popular Proverb in Israel put all the blame on their fathers; but the Lord would put an end to the use of this proverb (18:1-4) The righteous man will live (18:4-9) His unrighteous son will die (18:10-13) But if the unrighteous son has a righteous son, the son will live (18:14-18)

Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 Individual Responsibility to God (Ezekiel 18) God is JUST & FAIR! He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (18:19-20) He forgives the guilty man who repents and He punishes the righteous man who turns to unrighteousness (18:21-28) He will forgive the people of Israel if they repent! (18:29-32)

Ezekiel Lessons 10 – Ezekiel 17-19 A Lamentation for the Princes of Judah (Ezekiel 19) The princes of Judah are like young lions captured by Egypt and Babylon (19:1-9) Jehoahaz was taken captive by Egypt in 608 BC (2 Kings 23:31-34) Jehoiachin was taken captive to Babylon in in 597 BC. Judah is like a vine (19:10-14) Initially she was strong and supported strong rulers (19:10-11) Eventually she was pulled up, and her rulers broken (19:12) Now she is planted in the wilderness, and has no “strong branch – a scepter for ruling” (19:13-14)