Fri.’s Devo - A Parable of Lions

Read: Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10
The nation of Israel had a history of paying for the sins of the previous generation, but this generation would not be able to blame their fathers for their judgment. Their own sins had caused them to fall into the hands of their enemies. God went to great lengths to explain that everyone will be responsible for their own sins and live or die by their own merits. Mercy was always available for the one who repented.
In Chapter 19 there is a lamentation over the leaders of Israel, the princes of the twelve tribes. A mother lioness lays down with young lions and raises up one who preys on others. This young lion was finally taken in chains to Egypt. When this mother lion saw that her mentee was gone she raised up another one to do the same. He reeked havoc among the land and was put in chains and taken to Babylon.
The mother lion is Jehoiachin’s mother who raised two sons: Jehoahaz and Jehoiakin. Jehoahaz became the king and was evil. He was taken to Babylon. Then, Jehoiakin became king of Judah. He was also evil and he was taken to Egypt.
One day, the Lion from the tribe of Judah would come and restore his bride back to her inheritance.
Then we have the same scenario about a vine. The vine was the children of Israel that were planted in Canaan as strong leaders of the earth. Now in God’s wrath he was plucking her up by her roots and casting her down to the ground. She would be transplanted in Babylon where the spiritual atmosphere would be dry and she would long for spiritual water. Actually, Babylon was very fertile and well-watered but the physical would not satisfy their thirst for God.
Hebrews describes the first covenant as a religion of ordinances and rules that had to be followed to the letter. The only person who could enter into God’s presence was the High Priest and he could only go into the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. He could take away the penalty of their sins for the year but he could not take away their guilt or clear their conscience. That could only be done through the cross.
Lord, thank you for the cross that is our great salvation.