Living in the Age of the Tree

Scripture: Thus says the Lord God: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest." Ezekiel 17:22-23

Observation: As Ezekiel receives this parable of trees and plants that honor different eagles - which are about Babylon and Egypt and how Egypt will not be able to save rebellious Jerusalem from the second invasion of Babylon - he then summarizes with a variation on the theme. Someday, the Lord himself will plant a new tree on a high mountain in Israel. That tree will become the largest and most noble of all strong trees, and it will provide a home for every kind of bird. That tree won't just benefit Jews, but all people of the entire world, and they will all come to call that tree their shelter and home, seeking its shade and finding their rest within its protection.

This is never an image that has ever proven true for any king of Israel or Judah, and would never even be a desired goal for the Jews. They have never been promised that Israel would become home to all people, but rather quite the opposite ... they have always lived in the promise that the land of Israel is their special inheritance. No, this prophesy would be clearly understood to be about a new king, and that this involves a new promise from Yahweh. This is a new phase of how Yahweh interacts with the world. Instead of having his nation of priests functioning as an example of the Lord to the world, he would now have a new king who actually presides over the world, born in Israel, but ruling in a manner not of control but of comfort, not of might but of provision.

Application: Overall, this prophesy delivered to the exiles had two parts. First, that the rest of Jerusalem would rebel and be destroyed by Babylon soon. Second, that someday Israel's fortunes will be so restored that the Lord will again use Israel to create a new covenant with all the world, involving a new leader who will love and care for everyone, everywhere.

There is no doubt this is a Messianic prophesy and image, the idea of a world leader coming from Israel to bless and care for all the people of the world. The fact the next verse (24) emphasizes that all other trees (nations) will know of this great tree and be subject to it is further evidence of the worldwide reach of this prophesy.

I am so glad and so thankful I live in the age where that tree has been planted on a hill in Israel, and that I am one of the birds who makes my nest in its comforting and safe shade, enjoying the fruit the tree produces.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for Jesus, my Lord and savior, and the world's Messiah forever and ever. May his branches continue to spread, and more and more birds come to live in his shade. We would love to see revival in the world, Lord, instead of the destruction we fear. While we know the latter will come, may your faithful serve in a way that calls more and more birds to your great and noble cedar, all for your glory and honor and praise. Amen.