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The Parables of Eagles and the Vine:
It is a riddle, statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer. It is a riddle in that its meaning needs to be explained; there is a deeper meaning which underlies the figurative form, for something in its presentation is obscure.Once again God referred to what was primarily the kingdom and tribe of Judah as the house of Israel as a whole. The parable describes the events between the time of King Jehoiachin’s exile (597 BC, when also Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah on the throne of Judah) and the year Zedekiah revolted against Babylon, because he trusted in the promise of Egypt’s help (588 BC).
The First Eagle of the Parable:
It was a great eagle, the parable concerns a large and majestic eagle that came to Lebanon and took the highest branch from a cedar tree. The eagle then carried it to a land of trade. It represents God’s punitive power and the speed with which a conqueror advanced. The eagle used some of the seed from the land of the cedar tree, and he planted it in a fertile field, where it became a spreading vine, spreading forth branches. "And say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, Full of feathers of various colors, Came to Lebanon; And took from the cedar the highest branch. He cropped off its topmost young twig, And carried it to a land of trade; He set it in a city of merchants. Then he took some of the seed of the land, And planted it in a fertile field; He placed it by abundant waters. And set it like a willow tree. And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; Its branches turned toward him, But its roots were under it. So it became a vine, Brought forth branches, And put forth shoots" Ezekiel 17:3-6 (NKJV).
The Second Eagle of the Parable.
There was another great eagle: The second eagle appears suddenly, and the vine previously mentioned bent its roots and stretched its branches toward the second eagle. The vine did this in the hope that the second eagle would care for the vine, protect it, and give it the right conditions for growth and prosperity – which it already had under the first eagle. The hoped for result was that it would become a majestic vine. ""But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, And stretched its branches toward him, From the garden terrace where it had been planted, That he might water it. It was planted in good soil by many waters, To bring forth branches, bear fruit, And become a majestic vine"’Ezekiel 17:7-8 (NKJV).
God asked the question, revealing the fate of the vine. The rhetorical questions show that it would not thrive; that the first eagle would pull up its roots, cut off its fruit, and leave it to wither.Though the vine stretched out root and branches to the second eagle, the second eagle would not be able to shelter it against the coming storm. The vine would perish. After the failure of the two great eagles to make a success of establishing the state of Israel under their extensive and powerful patronage, God says, I myself (emphatic) will plant it upon a high mountain where it will grow and be conspicuous and attract the birds of the air to shelter under its protection.God is governing, and there is no escape from Him. Eagles, and vines, are under His control. Happy are they who frame their policies by consulting Him, and order their ways in fear. As we look through history, and you will see that everything gigantic in stature and colossal in dimensions, whatsoever has been great to human apprehension, grasping at earthly fame, has become an object for God’s penetrating arrows, and a subject for his withering blight.
Though the vine stretched out root and branches to the second eagle, the second eagle would not be able to shelter it against the coming storm. The vine would perish. The redirection of the vine’s branches toward the second eagle (instead of having them spread out low on the ground) and its roots upward (instead of going deeper into the fertile and well-watered soil) had rendered the plant extremely vulnerable to the wind’s withering force. Ezekiel explained the meaning of his riddle/parable, so his listeners could not claim the excuse that they did not understand. The first, great eagle represented the king of Babylon. When the vine in the parable turned to the second eagle, it had great hope of life and vitality (Ezekiel 17:8). These rhetorical questions reminded all that the vine would find no help from the second eagle, and Zedekiah would find no help from Egypt. God will also take one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out: Returning to the images of the parable, God promised that He was not finished with Israel and her kings. He would take the highest of the branches, would crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and replant it on a high and prominent mountain.
"Thus says the Lord God: “I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it" Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NKJV).
Lastly, All the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree. Through God’s dealing with kings such as Zedekiah, and His future work through the Messiah, God would exalt Himself among all the nations.
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