Ezekiel
19 reminds me of those that live in the glories of the past. Perhaps
the saddest of these are the broken down former athletes. Many still
talk about accolades from decades gone by as if they happened
yesterday. Their accomplishments are inflated but their bellies are
even larger. Sadly this image can be true of believers today as
well. If all of our stories of exercising our faith involve toddlers
now grown, maybe we may have become spectators without even realizing
it. In today’s chapter, the prophet is told to “Take
up a lament concerning the princes of Israel“.
The mourning is for the greatness of the nation that is now a faded
version of its former glory. Ezekiel boasts, “What
a lioness was your mother among the lions!”
He adds, “She brought up one
of her cubs, and he became a strong lion.
He learned to tear the prey and
he became a man-eater“. But
God-given talent is not sustainable without staying in training.
Great athletes are born, but champions have learned to prepare. The
story notes, “The nations heard
about him, and he was trapped in their pit…
led him with hooks to the land of
Egypt“. Is there a cub you
could be coaching?
The
bloodlines in this family were strong. This Lioness had another
offspring, “When she saw
her hope unfulfilled… she took
another of her cubs and made him a strong lion… He learned to
tear the prey and he became a
man-eater… The land and all who were in it were terrified by his
roaring“. Success always
brings attention and challenges. “The
nations came against him… They spread their net for him“.
Young warriors trust their strength, old warriors study history.
This one was “trapped in their
pit… pulled him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon…
so his roar was heard no longer“.
Are you roaring or snoring?
Athletic
arrogance is the supreme confidence in one’s ability to overcome
imperfect technique with raw strength. Some top performers bate
their opponent into mistakes by intentionally playing soft. This
kind of attitude does not edify the team, it only exalts self.
Israel was chosen by God to represent His holiness and mercy. “Your
mother was like a vine in your vineyard… it was fruitful and full
of branches because of abundant water.
Its
branches were strong, fit for a ruler’s scepter“.
The nation was known throughout the world as blessed by God, “It
towered high above the thick foliage“.
But the nation became corrupt, trusting in its own wealth and power
and turning from God. “But
it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground… it was stripped
of its fruit… Now it is planted in the desert, in a dry and thirsty
land“.
The nation fell so far that Ezekiel concluded “No
strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter“.
It was into this world that Christ was born to redeem His people and
issue the call “Whoever
wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross
daily and follow Me”
(Luke 9:23). Have
you become spiritually flabby? Friend,
is it time to sit up and listen to instruction? It is not too late
to get back onto the field. Abraham was 100 years old, “Yet
he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but
was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God”
(Romans 4:20). If you have been a spiritual couch potato, maybe it
is time for a change. “Fight
the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which
you were called”
(1 Timothy 6:12). Is it time for a deep knee bend in prayer?