25 June 2002

Text: Ezekiel 19

A Lamentation of the Fate of Israel

A DESCRIPTION OF ISRAEL

Israel- Described as a Lioness
"What is your mother? A Lioness." Eze. 19:1

THE TWO CUBS

1. The first cub mentioned
"She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion." Eze. 19:3
(Full text in Eze. 19:3-4. This cub was King Jehoahaz/Shallum who lost his throne after only being 3 months on it. He was deposed by Pharaoh Necho. Cf. 2 Kings 23:32-34; 2 Chr. 36:1-3).

2. The Fate of the First Cub
"He was trapped in their pit, and they brought him in chains to the land of Egypt." Eze. 19:4
(Cf. 2 Kings 23:32-34; 2 Chr. 36:1-3- King Jehoahaz or Shallum)

3. The second cub mentioned
"She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion." Eze. 19:5 (Full text Eze. 19:5-7)

4. The Fate of the second lion
"He was trapped in their pit. They put him in a cage with chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon." Eze. 19:9
(Cf. 2 Kings 24:6-15; 25:27-30 Jehoiachin led as a captive to Babylon. He was treated kindly by the king of Babylon).

ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL

(Symbolic language used. See also Isaiah 5)

1. Israel in its golden age
"Your mother was like a fruitful vine in your bloodline, planted by the waters, fruitful in and full of branches because of many waters." Ezekiel 19:10 (full text Eze. 19:10-11)

2. Israel devastated
"But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground…
Her strong branches were broken and withered." Eze. 19:12

3. Israel in exile
"And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land." Eze. 19:13

4. Judgment of Israel
"Fire has come out from a rod of her branches and devoured her fruit." Eze. 19:14

5. The Spiritual state of the Nation
"She has no strong branch- a scepter for ruling." Eze. 19:14