The Riddle of Two Eagles and a Vine

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 17:1-24.

The LORD gives Ezekiel an allegory that recites the recent history of the kings of Judah. The first great eagle breaks off the top of a cedar and plants a seed in its place. This is a picture of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon carrying King Jehoiachin of Judah into exile and replacing him with Zedekiah. The seed grows into a low spreading vine that eventually turns toward a second great eagle. This is a picture of Zedekiah’s foolish attempt to ally with Egypt for help against Babylon. As the LORD explains the allegory through Ezekiel, He makes it plain that Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon was actually rebellion against Him, and the LORD promises judgment for Zedekiah. However, the LORD is not done with His people. He promises that He Himself will fulfill His promise of bringing the Christ into the world. He will be the source of life for people from every nation. Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise by His death and resurrection.

“The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD called him to be a prophet in exile in Babylon. Through fantastic visions and attention-grabbing action prophecies, the prophet Ezekiel is a faithful watchman who proclaims the word of the LORD to bring people to repentance over their sins and to faith in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, the glory of the LORD made flesh.