Good day Believers in Christ. You are all welcome to another new day in another brand-new month. We thank God for the gift of life.
In our today’s episode 556 of studying and understanding the Bible, we shall be looking into the book of Ezekiel Chapter 19 titled:
Two Lamentations Sung For Israel Having Seen An Impending Danger
Taking a quick look at the word “lamentation”
It’s called qîynâh in Hebrew’s transliteration.
Pronounced as /kee-naw/
In poetry, it refers to a dirge or elegy. Something you recite and accompanied with beating your chest or beating on an instrument.
Prophet Jeremiah also used this style to preach to the Israelites too as seen in the book of Lamentations.
The lamentations in Ezekiel Chapter 19 was directed to two categories of people:
The first part from verse 1 to 9 and the second part from verse 10 to 14
When a nation has bad leaders, leading people astray is totally inevitable. This is why we see the Israelites also misbehaving as their kings, since there was no one to call them to order and lead them to God.
Part One
In the first part of the lamentation recited by Ezekiel, a female lion was mentioned in verse 2 to have produced other fierce young lions. Taught them to hunt and kill their preys.
In the old testament, something that is very common in the figurative use of the word “lion” or lioness” is its attribution to either Israel or Judah, but predominantly Judah. You will find this in Genesis 49:9 where Judah was likened to a lion that kills and no one dares to disturb him.
So, back to Ezekiel 19, by mentioning a female lion that produced other lions and teaching them to hunt and kill means Judah as a lion produced princes and taught them the art of war and how to fight wars.
But who were the young lions (princes of Judah) being referred to here?
Let’s look at verse 4 which says that some nations saw him and trapped him, then dragged him off to Egypt. Who was the king that was dragged off to Egypt before Babylonian invasion?
He’s no other person than Jehoahaz (Joahaz), who reigned around 609 BC for just 3 months and the reason for that very short reign was because king Neco (Pharaoh of Egypt) took him captive to Egypt and installed his brother called Eliakim in his place. He then changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Read 2Chronicles 36:1-4 and 2Kings 23:31-37 to know more.
That’s what Ezekiel was talking about in verse 4 of chapter 19.
Now, let’s find out who the second Prince was.
Verses 5 to 9 gives us some clues. The moment Jehoahaz was captured and taken to Egypt by Neco and replaced him with Jehoiakim 609-598 BC, he became loyal to Neco and became enemy to Nebuchadnezzar. You will now see why these kings rejected Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s messages and relied on Egypt for help even if their prophecies of Babylonian’s invasion were to come to pass. For three years, Jehoiakim was forced to submit to Nebu, but he rebelled. Nebu became angry and invaded Judah. Read 2Chronicles 36:5-8. Some scholars opined that it was his successor Jehoiachin that fitted well into that description (2Chro 36:9-10
Part Two
Now let’s move to the second lamentation, another parable of the vine was told, which represents the Jewish nation. A nation blessed with fertile land, well trained princes in the art of war and kingship, but unfortunately, they forgot God and started worshipping idols.
Hence, the reason they fell into the hand of Babylon. Many of them died, while majority landed in captivity.
Dear reader, the truth must be told – sin is still an active weapon the devil is using to trap many people today. Even believers must be careful the way we live our lives because sin is still sin whether during old or new covenant, sin has not changed.
Fornication for example, in old covenant is still fornication in the new covenant. We cannot call it the fruit of the Spirit in the new covenant and then start practicing it.
Anger is still sin also in both old and new testament, in fact the Bible says we should give no place to the devil. Please read Ephesian 4:27-30. The only thing that changed and makes the difference is what Jesus did – the Salvation which brings total forgiveness of sins brokered by Christ Jesus for as many as possible that believe. When you walk and live in this reality, you will discover that it’s the best gift that God offered to humanity.
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let us pray:
I declare by the authority in the name of Jesus, your family is heavily guarded against any form of evil attack or invasion, in Jesus name.
No one reading this message will grow weary or tired in serving God, receive supernatural strength and ability to continue to fight the good fight of faith and achieve God’s purpose on earth, in Jesus name.
Doors of supernatural provisions are being opened unto you and your family, in Jesus name.
Bible Readings For Today: Jeremiah Chapters 25, 26 & 27 with Isaiah Chapter 19
I call you blessed now and always.
Monday October 5, 2020 (DDMI)
