Ezekiel 19: Joy and Allegory
Tuesday November 16, 2021
Commentary tells us that the meaning of these two allegories has been lost but that scholars believe the two young cubs in the first refer to princes who were deported to Egypt and to Babylon (likely Jehoahaz and Zedekiah), and that the mother vine represents Judah. Ezekiel already knows that Jerusalem has been destroyed and perhaps he writes these two metaphors in order to convey the trauma of the event. We will never know; yet what we do know is this: Even though this prophet writes of a nation whose roots have been destroyed forever, yet he holds out hope for a new arising, for a rebirth, for restoration, for another coming. In 37:24-28 he tells us: My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all; they shall live by my statutes and carefully observe my decrees. They shall live on the land which I gave to my servant Jacob . . . I will make them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
If we choose, we might write our own allegory, describing how and why we elect to follow this God who promises much and who never forgets his promises.
God’s dwelling has been made among us, just as he has promised.
In this season in which we anticipate the coming joy of Advent, let us celebrate his coming.
The shoot from the stalk of Jesse has come to shepherd us.
In this season of hope as we gather in the fall harvest, let us rise to walk with this God.
A covenant of peace has been made with us.
In this season of coming peace of Advent, let us share the good news of this coming and this covenant.
God’s Law of Love is written on our foreheads and on our hearts.
In the coming season of Advent love, let us share this love with others – especially those who do us harm.
We have our God, and we are God’s people.
In the coming season of Advent possibility, let us dare to be one with this God.
And may Christ’s peace and joy and love be upon us all. Amen.
For notes on Ezekiel 19 click on the image above, or visit: http://www.lorisreflections.com/god-lessons/friday-revelation-lament-israel/
A Favorite from December 12, 2009. Adapted and re-posted today.
Image from: http://www.lorisreflections.com/god-lessons/friday-revelation-lament-israel/
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