Read Ezekiel 31:1-18
Given just a few months after the last reading, God sheds light on what will happen to Egypt. At first, the message likens Egypt to what the mighty power of Assyria once was. The Pharaoh would know the Assyrian Empire had fallen years before to the Babylonians. That is the LORD’s first hint of Egypt’s downfall.
Next, the LORD’s message speaks of a great tree. Using tree metaphors is not new in Scripture. Trees can symbolize life, sustenance, and protection. Genesis 2:9 says this about the Garden of Eden: “The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” We all know what happened when Eve took fruit from the wrong tree!
No wonder God’s message used the tree reference to make sense of his plan. Trees can be powerful and mighty, towering above everything below. Imagine the different vantage point of a small ant on the ground to a grown human looking up at the majesty of the canopy of leaves above. Yet with the blow of an axe, chainsaw, or even a strong wind, even huge trees fall.
The tree images in this prophecy are beautiful. There was a sense of peace and comfort to be found in those words. But then this is a prophecy of judgment. It’s hard to stay caught up in the trees once you realize that God means for that to represent Egypt’s beautiful life coming to an end.
We know Egypt’s fate. Ezekiel has been faithful in reporting all accounts, even one that comes to him years into the future from this one. Fun Fact: My husband was Senior Pastor at a church named Ezekiel Lutheran in Wisconsin. That was early in our marriage. I still remember the church logo and how it incorporated a tree with deep roots. Living in River Falls was a time of God’s abundance for us, and his breadcrumbs that led us to Mexico in retirement! (That’s a story for another day!)
Trees are great. Let’s take time today to focus on trees.
Did you have any favorite word pictures from this prophecy. I had several, but let’s look at how “the birds nested in its branches, and in its shade all the wild animals gave birth.” Isn’t that a beautiful picture? For me, we’ve got a family of birds returning to a nest built last season. There’s been a flurry of activity there, so I’m especially in tune with birds nesting!
When we think of how God can be our tree, our strength that is. We come to him like those birds come to their favorite tree (the one with their nest it in!). We enjoy his shade and protection and feel as safe as those “wild animals” giving birth there.
I’m going to close with one more reflection on the topic of trees. If we want to be “like a tree,” this word picture fits perfectly. God describes this prophecy tree as, “its roots went deep into abundant water.” If I’m like that tree, I want my roots to go deep my relationship with God and the abundance he has in mind for me. That’s what “abundant water” means to me. And the reference to roots took me back quite a few years to when we served at Ezekiel.
Let’s pray. LORD, I do want to go deeper with you. I thank you for how I can see your fingerprints all over my life as I look back on years spent with you. Your love is like a mighty tree with many arms of protection looking over me. You are such an amazing God to be doing all this for me and for every other person who receives your mercy and grace. All at the same time! Thank you God for everything you have given for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
