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Listen to the Trees | Part IV | Towering Cedars

The prophets weren't liked much. I imagine they felt quite like Bruno at times. (We don't talk about Bruno).

They were often insulted, threatened, and Persecuted for what they had to say. In the eyes of a society that viewed Success as wealth, favor and prestige, the prophets were complete Failures. But they continued to faithfully and courageously preach the word of God anyway. God warned them in advance that not many would Listen. And they Wept. 

As Jeremiah's Lamentations give way to Ezekiel's messages of doom and despair, there is a hopeful promise tucked away in Chapter 17 - a Story about Birds and Trees. Naturally, I was quite drawn to it. Tuck in and Listen:  

There was once a great eagle with powerful wings and radiant feathers. One day, he flew to a land known for its great forest of cedar trees. He plucked a branch from the top of one of the trees and carried it away to a land of merchants and traders.

The eagle had read about trees, and knew that they needed good soil and plenty of water. So he planted it "like a willow tree" next to abundant water. And the seedling Grew; it became a low spreading vine, its splendid and noble branches turned toward the eagle and its roots shooting down into the earth.

One day, the vine caught a glimpse of another eagle soaring overhead. This eagle was also beautiful, with powerful wings and radiant feathers. The vine now turned its roots away from the plot of good soil it was planted in and reached its roots and its branches toward the second eagle for water. (Ezekiel 17:1-8, paraphrase by yours truly). 

God told Ezekiel to relay this Story to His people, and then sent a question to follow. This is the word of the Lord: 

"Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will it Thrive?

Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers? All its new growth will wither. It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots. It has been planted; but will it Thrive?'" (Ezekiel 17:9-10, NIV)  

With Ezekiel's help, God explained this parable to the Israelites in relation to their current circumstances. They wanted Freedom, but rather than Growing where they were Planted and Trusting in God, they decided to take matters into their own hands and form an alliance with a foreign nation in hopes that help would come from a more...tangible source. Their hope was in the nation's armies, weapons, and power - not their Abba, Father.

God's people had a hard time keeping their word. They were known to break their treaties, oaths, and promises and held a bad reputation for being an 'adulteress nation'. Their words were worthless, and their actions were equal.  

Stay with me. The Story isn't over.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I, myself, will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 

On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar tree. 

Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. 

I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it." (Ezekiel 17:22-24, NIV)

This tender sprig is, of course, our Jesus - our home, our shelter, our provider. This Jesus, who worked with trees as a carpenter in life and was nailed to one in death, did this so that we may Thrive.

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