Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 17, Psalm 57

“A great eagle with broad wings and long feathers,
covered with many-colored plumage,
came to Lebanon.
He seized the top of a cedar tree
and plucked off its highest branch.
He carried it away to a city filled with merchants.
He planted it in a city of traders.
He also took a seedling from the land
and planted it in fertile soil.
He placed it beside a broad river,
where it could grow like a willow tree.
It took root there and
grew into a low, spreading vine.
Its branches turned up toward the eagle,
and its roots grew down into the ground.
It produced strong branches
and put out shoots.” – Ezekiel 17:3b-6

The Lord used this beautiful word picture to help His people understand what happened in the past, what was happening now, and what would happen one day. It was a reminder of who God is and who He will always be. Even in the midst of the exile, there was a seedling of hope planted. As long as the seedling turned its branches towards the eagle and kept its roots growing down into the fertile soul the Lord provided, it would grow strong. New shoots would produce new growth and grow new fruit.

“But then another great eagle came
with broad wings and full plumage.
So the vine now sent its roots and branches
toward him for water,
even though it was already planted in good soil
and had plenty of water
so it could grow into a splendid vine
and produce rich leaves and luscious fruit.” – Ezekiel 17:7-8

The tree had everything it needed, yet it rerouted its roots and branches towards the second eagle. The beauty and strength of the new eagle attracted the attention of the tree and it lost its purpose. But without the eagle who had planted the tree in the perfect spot for nourishment and growth, the tree would not prosper; it could not prosper.

God had exiled His people to a place where they could thrive. They were given the opportunity to live with their families and enjoy a pleasant life. It was not home and they would be aware that they could not leave, yet they would grow and thrive in Babylon. Yet the king of Israel pushed against the parameters of this exile and reached out to Egypt for rescue. Instead of humbly accepting the consequences of their rebellion, the king continued to look for salvation in sources other than God.

“So now the Sovereign Lord asks:
Will this vine grow and prosper?
No! I will pull it up, roots and all!
I will cut off its fruit
and let its leaves wither and die.
I will pull it up easily
without a strong arm or a large army.
But when the vine is transplanted,
will it thrive?
No, it will wither away
when the east wind blows against it.
It will die in the same good soil
where it had grown so well.” – Ezekiel 17:9-10

But even in the midst of this bad news, there is hope for what is ahead. God promised a new branch that would bring a new day. Its branches would grow and provide both shelter and a home. It would produce seed and new life would bloom.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!” – Ezekiel 17:22-24

Giver of life, we look to you this morning for our sustenance. We long to be rooted in Christ, growing in strength, and producing fruit with seeds so that you can multiply new life in others through us. May our eyes stay focused on you, and may we forever worship the one who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. Lord, we give you permission to wake up any part of us that is dying and breathe new life into your children — into your Church. Amen.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7-8