No Running from Discipline

We cannot go beyond what God allows, even in our moments of rebellion. This is the lesson the people of Israel needed to learn while in Babylon. They ended up there due to the conquest of Nebuchadnezzar, and it’s likely they despised every part of that experience. However, their presence in Babylon was part of God’s plan and foreknowledge; He was placing His people under discipline. Despite this, they sought to escape the path that the Lord had set for them. In response, Ezekiel is given a parable about their rebellion against the Lord’s discipline in Ezekiel 17.

The parable goes like this. 
A great eagle, symbolizing King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, plucks the topmost shoot of a cedar tree, which represents Jehoiachin, the king of Judah. He then plants it in fertile soil in Babylon. From this land, a seed grows into a vine, representing Zedekiah, a puppet king placed by Babylon. This vine spreads low, symbolizing dependence and submission to Babylon. 

Then, another great eagle appears, representing Egypt. The vine stretches its roots toward this eagle, seeking strength from Egypt instead of Babylon. God then asks a question: 
Ezekiel 17:9 (ESV) “Say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it from its roots.

When Israel seeks Egypt's help to rebel against Babylon, the results are disaster, and the lesson is clear. God's people cannot run from God's discipline. 

Think about what happened to Jonah when he fled to Tarsus, to Samson when he was in Philistine custody, and to Abraham when he quickly left the Promised Land due to a famine and ended up in Egypt. Even Peter denied the Lord but was ultimately restored. Time and again, the Lord reached into the lives of those who had strayed and turned them back toward Him.

Why is that? It is part of what it means to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. He WILL not break that covenant even when you run. He will accomplish His purpose to refine and perfect His work even when the clay seeks to fly off the potter's wheel. 

Ezekiel also stipulates that Zedekiah, the vassal king who had sworn an oath before the Lord to support Nebuchadnezzar, will suffer the ultimate fate for breaking it. 
Ezekiel 17:16–19 (ESV) “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. 17 Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. 18 He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head.

The 17th chapter of Ezekiel concludes with a vivid image of a sprig planted from the top of a cedar tree. This sprig will be planted on a high and lofty mountain. It will take root, grow branches, and become a majestic cedar under which all kinds of birds will find shade. This image represents the Messiah to come, Jesus Christ, who will be established in the heavens, build His church, and draw all nations to Himself. The message of Ezekiel 17 is still being fulfilled in us today.

Even during the darkest seasons in Israel's history, the Gospel is preached. Even when people resist the discipline of the Lord, God's grace is proclaimed. He will reserve a people for Himself.

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