Read Ezekiel 19:1-14
These lamentations were meant to be used in a funeral for the princes of Israel. Is Judah being represented by a lioness in this song? In Genesis 49:9, on his deathbed, Jacob says this about his son, Judah: “Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?”
The Ezekiel text captures this relationship between lions and Judah. The cubs in question represent two kings of Judah, each seen as evil in the Lord’s eyes. The first, King Jehoahaz was deported by Pharoah Neco to Egypt where he died. The second cub represents King Jehoiachin, taken into exile in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar where he was virtually a prisoner for 37 years.
Ezekiel’s reference to the vine in verse 10 is also symbolic and not at all surprising. The vine has been used before, and it traditionally symbolizes Israel itself. God always intended Israel to be a fruitful and strong kingdom. The years of David and Solomon were certainly lush and prosperous. Sadly, the kingdom persistently rebelled against God, and as a result God’s blessing was taken away.
It’s fitting that God would have given funeral dirges for the kings, called princes in this text. I suppose that speaks to how pleased God was with their leadership. The people followed their king, and when the king was evil, the people mimicked their bad behavior. The downfall of Judah was caused by the monarchy!
I realize this reading is meant to be a lament of what could have been and what was. Sitting on this side of history, we know that this sad state of affairs is not the end of the story. The sorrow lasted for only a time. The promised Messiah would come. Jesus himself is from the line of Judah, another mighty lion-like leader.
Jesus is referred to in Revelation 5:5 as the Lion of Judah. “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Jacob. Jesus is the promised king who will reign forever, strong and powerful like a lion!
Let’s pray. LORD, my heart breaks when I think of how many strong and influential leaders over the years have led your people astray. Thank you for never giving up on us. You sent Jesus to redeem us and show us the way. May I keep my eyes firmly on Jesus and the truth of your word. Help me to resist the devil and the evil trappings of this world. I pray that world leaders will come to know you and lead your people back. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
