Ezekiel 17:1-24

17:2 | Ezekiel’s riddle is posed by God to Israel. When direct language fails to achieve the desired result, indirect language can pierce the heart and bring needed understanding (2 Sam. 12:1-12).

17:12 | While Ezekiel’s story may have captured the attention of his hearers, they might not on their own have made the necessary connections to their own historical situation. The prophet therefore proceeds to unpack the story so that the people might understand God’s message. Israel had failed to submit to Babylon as the Lord’s instrument of correction, and so would pay the price for her rebellion (2 Kgs. 24:6-20; 2 Chron. 36:8-16; Jer. 37; 52:1-7).

17:22-23 | Once again, God provides His people with hope as well as discipline. He would eventually provide them with a tender twig which He would plant on a high and prominent mountain – a reference to the coming of the Messiah.