Ezekiel showed incredible diversity in the way in which he delivered his messages. Early on, he primarily employed visible object lessons. He later utilised parable and metaphor. In the text before us this morning (Ezekiel 19), he adopts the method of lament, utilising poetry to communicate his message. His lament comprises two distinct images.
First, in vv. 1–9, he pictures Jerusalem as a lioness, who selects one of her cubs as leader of the pack. He behaves like a brave lion but is eventually hunted by the nations and carried off to Egypt. The lioness then appoints a second cub to replace the first, who likewise exhibits lion-like feats, but is also hunted and carried to Babylon. These cubs represent King Jehoahaz and King Jehoiachin (or, possibly, King Zedekiah) respectively.
Second, in vv. 10–14, Jerusalem is portrayed as a mighty vine, planted in a vineyard alongside abundant water. These conditions produce branches on the vine fit for a ruler’s sceptre. Confident in its own ability, the vine is withered by the east wind and its branches burned, leaving no strong branch left for a sceptre. Indeed, the fire that burns the branches comes from one of the branches itself. The fire represents King Zedekiah, whose folly as a ruler resulted in the final destruction of the city and its temple.
Once again, the Lord rebukes Jerusalem through the ministry of his prophet. The city is responsible for its own downfall, but what a mighty downfall it would be. The people needed to be reminded that their future was not rosy. Great affliction was on the horizon and they needed to be prepared.
Evangelical Christianity often promises a wonderful life for the people of God. The gospel presentation popularised by The Four Spiritual Laws famously begins, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” If we are to believe much popular evangelical teaching, the Christian life should be nothing but a leap from one spiritual victory to the next.
Christians throughout the Western-influenced world have embraced Jeremiah 29:11 as God’s promise to them: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse decorates our walls and reminds us of God’s promises to us on coffee mugs. Very few people who claim this verse know anything about the rest of the same chapter. Consider, for example, these words, spoken to the same people, just a few verses later:
Thus says the LORD of hosts, behold, I am sending on them sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten. I will pursue them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, because they did not pay attention to my words, declares the LORD.
(Jeremiah 29:17–19)
Texts like these offer us a healthy reality check for the Christian life. The experience of God’s people in this world is frequently a difficult one. And this is not only true, as in Jeremiah 29:17–19 and Ezekiel 19, a result of our sin. Paul warned Timothy of the struggles he would face in ministry as a faithful pastor: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Should Timothy consider these afflictions evidence that his ministry to those people was over? Should he look elsewhere for a more welcoming church? Should he shake the dust from his feet and move on to greener ministerial pastures? Paul answers in v. 5: “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” He gave Timothy no promise of a problem-free ministry or Christian walk. The Bible gives us no such promise either. At least not this side of eternity.
The experience of God’s people—even his faithful people—this side of the grace is frequently one of opposition, affliction, persecution, sickness, and sadness. This is a normal part of the Christian walk in a fallen world. Christians have no more promise than non-Christians of protection from dread disease or unemployment. Our most previous promises are eternal, not temporal.
As you meditate on Ezekiel 19 this morning, pray for a healthy reality check. Realise that there is no promise in Scripture of uninterrupted bliss in this life. Ask for grace to face the challenges of life with hope and perseverance.
