Ezekiel 19

Ezekiel 19:1

Q. Lamentation for the Last Kings of Judah (Chap. 19)19:1-9 This is a lament for the last kings of Judah. Not all are agreed as to the identity of the kings, but probably they are Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Judah is the lioness. The other nations are the lions, and their rulers are the young lions (v. 2). The whelp who became a young lion (v. 3) is perhaps Jehoahaz, who was captured and taken off to . . . Egypt (v. 4). The other whelp (v. 5) is possibly Jehoiachin. Judah was no different than all the other nations, a lioness among the lions. The leaders of the nations are fierce and selfish, “but among you it shall not be so.” The Lord expects His people to be different. If not, they are inviting His judgment. 19:10-14 “Your mother” (v. 10) is Judah or Jerusalem, a vine in their bloodline that was fruitful and full of branches. At one time, she had strong kings (strong branches), but she would be destroyed by Babylon (the east wind), and the people carried into captivity (the wilderness, vv. 11-13). Zedekiah, the fire of verse 14, is regarded as a usurper and the ruin of his people. Israel had wanted a king like the other nations. Here Ezekiel lowers the curtain on the last act of their monarchy. God wants His people to be different from the world, to be a holy people for Himself, and to acknowledge Him as King.