In chapter 17, the prophet Ezekiel is given a parable to share with God's people - an allegory that reveals the spiritual truths underpinning the geopolitical realities of their day.
An allegory is a specific kind of parable or literary device in which there is a one-to-one correlation between the elements of the story serving as stand-ins or symbols for earthly matters. For instance, in Ezekiel's allegory, the eagle represents the king of Babylon (vs. 12). The carrying away of the topmost shoot of the cedar in verses 3 and 5 symbolizes the first wave of exiles taken from Judah.
The point of the allegory is that the king of Judah has dealt falsely with Nebuchadnezzar by breaking his covenant and trying to go to Egypt for military help. The parable reveals that this plan is doomed to fail, and King Zedekiah will be taken away to Babylon to wither away and die there.
However, that is not the end of the story! Verses 22 through 24 describe a coming time when the tree representing Israel will be replanted, and it will thrive and become a "noble cedar." "Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind" (vs. 23). Is this a prophecy of the Gentiles coming into the family of God? Is God's eye on the establishment of Jesus Christ and the covenant He will make with all people through Him? I like to think so.
In a chapter that is otherwise full of bad news for God's people, hear the good promise of the Lord: "All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it" (vs. 24). There is always hope, even in the midst of darkness!
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