15 - 28

Chapter 15 portrayed as a fruitless vine. v. 1-5 The Lord asks if fruitless vines are used for anything but burning. v. 6-8 Judah is revealing to be the fruitless vine under God’s judgement.

Chapter 16 Israel, the adopted girl who became a prostitute. v. 1-2 Another prophetic parable is given about . v. 3-5 An orphaned girl is born and abandoned. v. 6-7 God passed by, found her and cared for her. v. 8-14 Under His care she grew up, became beautiful and God married her. v. 15-21 She rejected her Husband, became a prostitute and killed His children. v. 32 Israel compared to a wife who leaves her husband to become a prostitute. v. 46 Judah and Israel’s Northern Kingdom are two prostitute sisters. v. 60-63 But God will remain faithful to His marriage vows toward Israel.

Chapter 17 The Parable of the two Eagles. v. 1-2 Ezekiel is give a prophetic parable about Israel. v. 3 is portrayed as a great eagle. v. 4-6 Babylon conquers Israel, sets up Zedekiah then protects him. v. 7-10 Zedekiah (the vine) bends toward (a second eagle). v. 11-21 The parable is explained and judgement is decreed. v. 22-24 Many believe this contains a Messianic prophecy.

Keil & Delitzsch Translation and Commentary on the OT : 22 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, And I will take from the top of the high cedar, and will set it; from the topmost of its shoots will I pluck off a tender one, and will plant it upon a high and exalted mountain. 23 On the high mountain of Israel will I plant it, and it will put forth branches, and bear fruit, and become a splendid cedar, so that all the birds of every plumage will dwell under it. In the shade of its branches will they dwell. 24 And all the trees of the field will learn that I Jehovah have lowered the lofty tree, lifted up the low tree, made the green tree wither, and the withered tree become green. I Jehovah have said it, and have done it.

“The cedar, which it designated ..as rising above the other trees, is the royal house of , and the tender shoot which Jehovah breaks off and plants is not the Messianic kingdom or sovereignty, so that Zerubbabel could be included, but the Messiah Himself...”Tender”, refers to Him; also “a sprout”, which indicates not so much the youthful age of the Messiah as the lowliness of His origin... The high mountain, described as the high mountain of Israel, is Zion, regarded as the seat and centre of the kingdom of God, which is to be exalted by the Messiah above all the mountains of the earth.” (Commentary abridged by Pitts) Chapter 18 The Lord’s Justice is fair and right. v. 20 Each man shall account for his own behavior. v. 21 If any man repents, He will live and not die. v. 24 If a formerly righteous person becomes a sinner, his previous righteousness will be forgotten by Yahweh. v. 25-32 Israel claims God is unfair, but He refutes their claim.

Chapter 19 Israel compared to a Lioness and a Vine in a lamentation. v. 1 The Funeral lament for the Princes of Israel v. 4 Joseph as the young lion prince. v. 5-6 Judah as the young lion prince. v. 9 Zedekiah, descended from Judah is alluded to here. v. 10-14 Israel the Vine with no Branch to rule.

Chapter 20 The Jewish Leaders come once more for guidance. v. 1 The Elders come to Ezekiel seeking a Word. v. 2-3 God refuses. v. 4-44 God then rebukes Israel for her unfaithfulness. v. 45-49 Judgement is decreed.

Chapter 21 The Lord will use Babylon as His sword. v. 1-11 Babylon is repeatedly referred to as the Lord’s sword against Jerusalem. v. 12 The previously mute is told to wail. v. 14-17 Ezekiel is told to clap his hands, as a sign that God would clap His. v. 25-27 A Messianic prophecy, no more kings until Messiah comes.

Chapter 22 Jerusalem the bloody city. v. 1-14 Much blood guilt is laid on Jerusalem. v. 15 Diaspora will be the result. v. 30 Not one righteous person could be found in Jerusalem. :30 "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. NIV Jeremiah 5:1 "Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. NIV

Chapter 23 Israel and Judah portrayed as two adulterous sisters. v. 1-3 We are introduced to 2 prostitute sisters. (See Jer 3:6-11) Jeremiah 3:6 During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. 7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. NIV v. 4 They are named Aholah and Aholibah, representing and Jerusalem. Chapter 24 The Destruction of Judah and the death of Ezekiel’s wife. v. 1-14 Ezekiel is told to symbolically boil meat, representing Jerusalem’s fate. v. 15-24 Ezekiel’s wife dies and he is instructed not to mourn for her. v. 25-27 When Jerusalem Falls, Ezekiel will no longer be mute. :27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD." NIV

Chapter 25 Judgement of Nations concerning their treatment of Israel. v. 1-7 Ammon is judged. v. 8-11 Moab is judged. v. 12-14 Edom is judged. v. 15-17 The Philistines are judged.

Chapter 26 Judgement against Tyre.

Chapter 27 A funeral lamentation for Tyre.

Chapter 28 Apparently, Satan himself was a . v. 1-10 A lamentation for the Prince of Tyre v. 11-12 A second lamentation for the King of Tyre that shifts toward Satan. v. 13-19 This is a description of what many consider to be Satan’s fall. :14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub,

More details on Lucifer’s Fall. :9 The realm of the dead below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones— all those who were kings over the nations. 10 They will all respond, they will say to you, "You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us." 11 All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. 12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zion. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. 16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, 17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" NIV