Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 19
Theme : Misplaced Trust in Wicked Rulers
Lament over Israel’s Leaders (1-9)
One of the reasons why the exiles did not want to repent because they trusted in their leaders to cast off the chain of Babylon and restore them to Israel. But the parable of the lioness and its lions tells them their trust in misplaced. The lioness is the nation of Israel. The young whelps represent two kings of Israel. These kings did evil in God’s sight so God removed them. The first whelp is Jehoahaz (vv.3–4), who was exiled to Egypt (2 Kings 23:33–34). The second whelp is Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin, (vv.5–9; cf. 2 Kings 24:8–17). No kings can deliver them from the judgment of God, only repentance can deliver them.
Lament Over Zedekiah and Israel (10-14).
The vine represents Israel. It will be cast down to the ground. The east wind is Babylon (east of Israel) who will wither the vine. Then Israel will be planted (exiled) in a dry land (Babylon). The stem is Zedekiah who will be burned (killed). Israel will have no king, no scepter. The exiles are foolish to place their trust in wicked leaders instead of God, who is righteous and sovereign. History keeps telling them this truth. They need to learn history or perish.
Praying the Scripture
The presence of God’s chosen representative, the king, is no substitute for personal commitment to Him. The people of Judah, even the exiles, continued to look on the ruling members of the dynasty as sure signs of divine favor, a kind of good luck charm. So long as a Davidic king sat on the throne, God’s protection was sure. They failed to realize that none of the divine promises was automatic; all are contingent. Without the submission to the will of God, any claim to security with God is a delusion. Pray that you do not rely on any superstitious good luck charm to secure your peace and blessing with God. Blessing comes through a genuine relationship with God as your master.
经文：以西结书19
主题：信错邪恶领袖
为以色列首领作起哀歌（1-9）。
被掳之民不愿悔改的其中一个原因是他们相信自己的首领能将巴比伦的锁链劈开，叫他们归回以色列。然而，母狮子与她少壮狮子的比喻告诉他们他们信错人了。母狮子代表以色列国；少壮狮子则是以色列的两位国王。他们行耶和华眼中看为恶的事，所以神废除了他们。第一只少壮狮子是约哈斯（3-4节）；他被放逐至埃及（王下23:33-34）。第二只少壮狮子是约雅敬的儿子约雅斤（5-9节；参：王下24:8-17）。无君王能救他们脱离神的审判。唯有悔改能。
为西底家和以色列作起哀歌（10-14）。
葡萄树代表以色列；它将被拔出，摔在地上。东风代表巴比伦（以色列以东）；它将使葡萄树枯干。之后，以色列将栽于（放逐）旷野干旱无水之地（巴比伦）。枝干是西底家；它将被火烧灭（被杀）。以色列不再会有君王和掌权者的杖。被逐之民愚昧地信靠邪恶的首领，而不是公义并有主权的神。历史一再地告诉他们这个事实。他们需要从历史中吸取教训，否则灭亡。
用经文祷告
神所拣选之代表的存在，即君王，并不能取代我们对神的个人委身。犹大子民，甚至被掳的，继续仰望当代的执政君王做神恩待他们的标志，如幸运符似的。他们认为只要属大卫家族的君王还坐在王位上，神必然保护他们。他们无法看见神的应许都不是自动会应验的；它们是有条件性的。若不遵从神的旨意，渴望神的保护尽是妄想。祷告你不会依赖纯属迷信的幸运符希望能在神的面前得平安和祝福。祝福乃是借着你与神的真诚关系而来，认神作你的主。
