Read Ezekiel 19
Verses chosen for devotion;
10 Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard
planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water.
13 Now it is planted in the wilderness,
in a dry and thirsty land.
14 And fire has gone out from the stem of its shoots,has consumed its fruit, so that there remains in it no strong stem, no scepter for ruling.
Reflect
The author was lamenting about the state of former glory of Israel (v10) which was laid to ruin by the hands of her own kings and people. The princes of Israel (and the “cubs”) here probably refer to King Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim of Judah. Both are evil in God’s sight - King Jehoahaz as mentioned in 2 Kings 23:32 and King Jehoiakim as described in 2 Chronicles 36:5. For their wickedness, King Jehoahaz was captured by Pharaoh Nacho of Egypt and his successor King Jehoiakim was bound in chains and brought to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36). Yet another lamentation here is on how people continue to ignore their past mistakes and continue to repeat the vicious cycle of wrongdoings. They did not examine the state of their sinfulness and repent. And perhaps the greatest lament here would be once a powerful and glorious nation blessed by God, Israel has now become a wasteland, with the era of kingship coming to an end as a result of its own doing (v14).
Relate
1) God is the source of our well-being and strength
Israel was prosperous and strong as God granted them a land of milk and honey, repeatedly fought for them and blessed them with wealth and wisdom. People forgot about that quickly and started to take things into their own hands, rejecting God’s command and turning to other idols.
In our own lives, have we forgotten about how God has been in the center of all that we have and possess - our job, our family, and even our health? Though life has not always been a bed of roses God has helped us navigate through many storms. We are where we are today because of His grace and mercy. If we do not have that fundamental belief that God is the source of our well-being and strength, we could quickly become proud and self reliant.
2) State of our hearts
The people has failed to examine the state of their hearts with God. They have turned wicked and godless. They did not learn from their past mistakes and the Kings have become more evil than before (as in the case of King Jehoiakim who took over the throne from Jehoahaz). Failure to examine their hearts and repent led to the devastating state of self-destruction.
Do we regularly examine the state of our spiritual health? How about our state of relationship with God? Do we pray to thank Him or ask for help? Do we let our sins cloud our judgement and decisions. I have seen happy family ruined because of the lust for extramarital affair. I have also witnessed how a couple married for 50 years stopped talking to each other because of their pride and unwillingness to forgive. If we fail to examine the state of our sinful behaviour it is very unlikely for us to break out of the vicious cycle of sin, and its accompanying consequences.
3) Alignment to God’s will
The nation in the passage did not align their will and desires with God’s. In fact they align their will with that of their own desires. They rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar when they were advised not to, they worshipped other gods, and the King oppressed his own people for his own gain (Jeremiah 22).
Do we really mean what we pray - “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? It is hard to align our will with our Heavenly Father’s will because of our own desire to control our destiny. If that is the case, it would be very difficult for us to find peace and fulfillment. 1 John 5:14 says - “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Rest
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24
Alan Wong
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