Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 17
Theme : The Riddle
Riddle (1-10)
After listening to the history of Jerusalem’s prostitution, there are exiles who think that they are being punished for the sins of their ancestors. This chapter tells these exiles that they are being punished because of the rebellion of Zedekiah against Babylon and for their own sinful idolatry. The riddle has two eagles. The first eagle is Babylon and is more glorious than the second eagle, Egypt. The vine is Israel.
Interpretation (11-21)
The historical background for this riddle is found in 2 Kings 24:6–20; 2 Chronicles 36:8–16, and Jeremiah 37; 52:1–7. Judah’s kings were fickle in failing to follow the prophets’ warnings and in yielding to the Babylonians, God’s instrument of discipline. On the contrary, the kings continued to seek security and aid from Egypt. When Judah rebelled, Babylon came and destroyed Judah.
Conclusion (22-24)
In the midst of judgment, God gives hope and reminds the exile that He will fulfill His promises through the Messiah. The sprig is referring to the Messiah who is from the house of David, represented by the cedar. He will be lifted high in Jerusalem and rule over the nations, represented by birds and trees (cf. Dan 4:17, 32, 34–37; Matt 13:31–32) would submit to the Messiah and his rule (v.24).
Praying the Scripture
- People’s responses to crises must accord with the causes, not merely the symptoms, of the crises. The Judean crisis had been precipitated by the perfidy of the people against Yahweh. Their attempt to procure aid from Egypt while ignoring their moral and spiritual decline represented the ultimate folly that only hastened Yahweh’s judgment. Like Zedekiah’s, human goals of liberation may be noble, but this does not sanctify the enterprise if the strategy evades the real issue.
- Yahweh remains sovereign over history. When his people experience calamity, his hand is in it. When foreign nations sweep down on them, they come as his agents. No nation has ever become so powerful that he cannot bring it down in a moment; and no people is so low that he cannot exalt it. By his providence he governs human affairs so that the schemes of the wicked are frustrated and his own objectives are ultimately achieved. He would raise up a scion from this plant, who would mount the throne of Israel and restore shalom not only to his own people but also to the world. He has spoken; He will perform.[1]
[1] Block. The Book of Ezekiel.
经文：以西结书17
主题：谜语
谜语（1-10）。
听了耶路撒冷犯淫乱的历史后，有些被掳之民认为他们是因自己列祖的罪孽受到惩罚。这个篇章则告诉他们受罚的原因是因为西底家与巴比伦对抗；他们也要为自己的偶像崇拜之罪被罚。谜语中有两只鹰。第一只鹰是巴比伦；它比第二只鹰埃及来得更荣美。葡萄树则是以色列。
解释（11-21）。
这个谜语的历史背景就在列王纪下24:6-20；历代志上36:8-16与耶利米书37; 52:1-7也有所记载。犹大的列王是善变的，既不听从众先知的警告，又不愿意屈服于神之管教的器皿巴比伦。相反的，列王继续向埃及寻求保护和帮助。当犹大反抗时，巴比伦便前来消灭犹大。
总结（22-24）。
即便在审判中，神赐予盼望；祂提醒被掳之民祂会借着弥赛亚应验自己的应许。香柏树象征的是大卫之家，而香柏树梢指的便是从大卫之家而生的弥赛亚。祂将在耶路撒冷被高举，治理列国，而万国将服从弥赛亚和祂的管理（24节）——这由飞鸟和树木作象征（参：但4:17, 32, 34-37；太13:31-32）。
用经文祷告
- 遇到灾祸时，人当反思其原因，而不是专注于灾祸所带给他们的后果。犹大所面对的灾祸则是因着他们悖逆耶和华。他们试着向埃及求助，却忽略了自己的道德与灵性之衰败，导致他们铸成大错，加速了耶和华的审判。如西底家一样，人对得着释放的目标虽是伟大的，但若其策略造成人避开真正的祸害根源，这对任何人都不利。
- 我们从历史中能看到神一直都是有主权的。当属祂的人遇到灾祸时，这是祂降下的；当异国侵占他们时，那都是祂也是祂所用的器皿。无一国如此强大，以致神不能瞬间消灭；无谷底至深，以致神无法将人从此处升高。借着神的护理，祂掌管人的所为，破坏恶人的诡计，叫祂自己的计划最终会成就。神会从这个植物中升起一个枝子，而祂最后会登上以色列的宝座，使平安终归回自己的子民及全世界的人。神已经开口了；祂必然应验这事。[1]
[1] Block. The Book of Ezekiel.
