Today’s passage: Ezekiel 17
Helpful thoughts:
- The riddle and parable given to Ezekiel in today’s passage explains what occurred in Judah in 2 Kings 24:8-25:7 and 2 Chronicles 36:5-21.
- After Nebuchadnezzar’s first victory over Jerusalem, he set up a king under his own authority (Zedekiah), who later rebelled by turning to Egypt for help/defense against Babylon. This brought about the full fall of Jerusalem.
- The prophet Jeremiah had given God’s instruction to Zedekiah in Jeremiah 38:14-23. God had given Zedekiah specific instructions and he disobeyed.
- Neither Nebuchadnezzar or the Egyptian Pharaoh possess the sovereignty of the Lord. He will remove power from whom He wishes and give power to whom He wishes. This will culminate in the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ!
Questions to consider:
- Zedekiah and Jerusalem were in trouble because they had broken their oath to Nebuchadnezzar, but ultimately, who had they sinned against (Verse 19)? Why is all our sin first and foremost sin against God?
- What words does the Lord use repeatedly to give confidence to His promise? Why is God gracious to give us this assurance? Does He need them to encourage Himself to remember His promises?
- Why can we always trust in the promises of God, even when they don’t seem to be coming as fast as we’d hope? What is true of His nature/character that makes His promises absolutely certain? (Titus 1:2, Malachi 3:6)