November 7, 2016
God spoke through Ezekiel propounding a “riddle” (Ez. 17:1) concerning the future of Israel and the nations of the world. In this parable the “trees” represent kingdoms, with the cedar symbolizing Israel from which a “sprig” (Ez. 17:22) is taken and planted anew by the Lord. The “trees of the field” represent the other nations of the world. At this future time those nations that appear “high” and “green,” the Lord will bring “low” and make them “dry up.” However, that tree which is from the sprig of the cedar, that has appeared low and dried up, the Lord will cause to be raised up high and become alive again to flourish. The Lord will do this, and the nations will bear witness, so that all may know He is the Lord. And who does this “sprig” that God will raise up and cause to flourish represent (See Isa. 53:2)? Is this not the Messiah, Christ Jesus, whom God raised up from the grave to be alive forevermore, offering resurrection life to all who would believe?