“I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out… And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 17:22,24 ESV).
God spoke through Ezekiel putting forth a “riddle” concerning the future of Israel and the nations of the world (Ez. 17:1). In this parable the “trees” represent kingdoms, with the cedar symbolizing Israel from which a “sprig” is taken and planted anew by the Lord. The “trees of the field” represent the other nations of the world. At this future time those nations that appear “high” and “green,” the Lord will bring “low” and make them “dry up.” However, that tree which is from the sprig of the cedar, that has appeared low and dried up, the Lord will cause to be raised up high and become alive again to flourish. The Lord will do this, and the nations will bear witness, so that all may know He is the Lord.
And what does this “sprig” that God would raise up and cause to flourish represent? Surely it represents the Messiah. For Isaiah also prophesied of the Messiah similarly saying, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isa. 11:1). And in Isaiah’s most amazing description of the coming Messiah, he says, “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground” (Isa. 53:2).
Yes, this “sprig” is Jesus Christ. For Ezekiel’s “sprig of the cedar” prophecy points to the future hope of a righteous and everlasting kingdom under the rule of Jesus, offering salvation and blessing to all who come under His lordship.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we are amazed at all the prophecies that point to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our faith is strengthened by Your fulfilled promises. For You do what You say. Your Word never returns void. Therefore, we put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.