Ezekiel 17:1-15

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_17:1-15.md

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+title = "Ezekiel 17:1–15"
+date = "2023-04-15"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel17.1-15)
+
+The nice thing about confusing metaphors in the Bible is that usually if you
+just keep reading it will explain its own imagery for you. The Lord describes a
+great eagle with splendorous, colorful plumage. It comes to a cedar of Lebanon
+and removes the top-most branches and takes them to a trade city. Then it
+plants a seed in the land, cares for it and waters it, and it sprouts into a
+spreading vine. However, in spite of the good soil and water it received from
+the eagle, the vine started reaching out toward a different eagle to get.
+Because of this disloyalty, the vine will be rooted up and wither away.
+
+What does this mean? The Lord explains: the first great eagle is Babylon and
+the top of the cedar is the king and the upper crust of Jerusalem that were
+deported earlier. The vine is the king of Judah that Nebuchadnezzar set up in
+their place to be a vassal to Babylon. However, the new king sought aid from
+Egypt, the other eagle, and now he and his rule will be destroyed.
+
+* * *
+
+By Your grace we received wisdom and understanding.