My husband insisted we live in student housing during graduate school. I envisioned myself squeezed in a one-bedroom with a growing family, schlepping milk gallons from the parking lot with a cranky toddler, trading our fenced back yard for a common area. Nope. I was not happy about living in a too-tight-for-my-comfort community.
So, I understand slightly the rebellion in Zedekiah’s heart in Ezekiel 17. The king of Babylon strategically ruled. He exported Judah’s top leadership and priests to Babylon (Ezekiel 17:4), and installed a puppet king, Zedekiah, to oversee the land. He also left some people to live in humble peace and thrive like seeds planted in a fertile field by abundant water (v.5). The vine (Israel) turned its branches toward Babylon (the earthly ruler) and started flourishing (vv.6,8).
But Zedekiah wanted to rule on his own terms. So instead of learning to thrive in the boundaries and position established by God through the Babylonian king (Ezekiel 17:19,24), Zedekiah reached out to the Egyptians to support him in a revolt (Ezekiel 17:7,15).
But what Zedekiah failed to realize was God orchestrated the humiliation of Judah for their rebellion in the first place. The deportations of Judah to Babylon were God’s judgment for their idolatrous ways. God is the One who exalts and the One who humbles (Matthew 11:23). God is the One who causes green trees to wither, and withered trees thrive (Ezekiel 17:24). How would Zedekiah’s rebellion to break the covenant between the nations turn out any differently?
It didn’t.
When a treaty was enacted between two nations, it was signed under oath to the respective deities. So, if someone broke the treaty, they also violated their commitment to their own god(s). Zedekiah broke the treaty with Babylon, so he also invited the retribution of the Lord. God took Zedekiah to Babylon and exacted judgment on him for the betrayal (v.20).
But God is not done with Israel or the nations at this point. Ezekiel also prophesied that one day, there will be a planting by the Lord on Israel’s high mountains (vv.22–24)—the Messianic rule of Israel.
We can take heed from the imagery God gifted Ezekiel. When we bend our hearts toward rebellion—our way, our will, our strength—we begin to wither like the vine (v.10). But when we bend our hearts toward the Lord, He provides us the sustenance we need to flourish—His way, His will, His strength—even among the tares that grow up around us (Matthew 13:24–30).
My family moved into the teeny apartment, and it turned into a bountiful planting by God. My neighbors from all around the world became extended family. Our children grew up together for a short while. And now we have loved ones all throughout the world. It was hard—and good.
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68 thoughts on "The Parable of the Eagles"
Such a complicated text but all things point once again to the sovereignty of God.
“It was hard – and good.”
This is so important. These two do not contradict each other. I just had a baby a week ago so I am in the middle of learning this lesson.
“It was hard – and good.”
We were the first to build a house on our street….the neighbors who built on either side of us became good friends as they were close in age to us….I found myself being pulled into the world. I have struggled to find the balance – loving them, reflecting Jesus’s light to them without getting caught in the snare of the world. I know God put me here for a reason and I also know I have been tested. How many times have I cried out ‘why did You put me here between these two families?” It has been a struggle, but God’s purpose will prevail. Right now I am wheat growing among the weeds, but my prayer is they too will become wheat before harvest time.
Churchmouse, praying for you.
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Thank you for the challenge. Praying for a more contrite spirit, that I would be pleased and blessed to sit under the authority of those God has placed over me.
Heidi….wow thank you for sharing. I’m reading this at my son’s swimming lesson crying. What a great story and example of waiting on Him!!!
So beautiful and Amazing Heidi!!!!!! Praise the Lord!
Victoria E. I am PRAYING for you and your sweet baby! The Lord will provide clarity and a path for you and your family to follow, I trust that no matter where you end up the Lord will use you all greatly there! ❤️ churchmouse, praying for your recovery. Many others, I am praying for you! Thank you for your continued prayers for me. ❤️
Wow what a testimony! Thank you for sharing- God is so good and faithful!
Lifting up Victoria E, Churchmouse, and Dorothy in prayer tonight. May God bless you with skilled medical staff in your own respective timing and healing. Dorothy, May God move your sister’s heart to recognize this area of weakness that she is experiencing.
And for those I missed and those with unspoken prayer requests, may God’s glory shine on you and deliver you in this difficult season. You are all truly our sisters in Christ.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Yes, Lord!
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Praying for you sister. That you remain patient while God works His perfect plan❤️
Yes! Will pray that healing goes well and that our Lord is glorified as it heals❤️
Yes! Will pray that healing goes well
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Churchmouse, it’s an honor to pray for you. I’m on my last 10 minute break of the day and came here. I will pray for speedy recovery and complete healing. 
This reminds me that God is in ultimate control. That doesn’t mean that everything that happens in my life is His Will, but he can use everything in my life for his plan and to bring about good things in my life. I pray that I would learn to follow his leading more and trust in him.
God is the source and light of my life. We must work on ourselves to be better vessels for God, to be better children. If we don’t change our ways, then nothing will happen
This reading gives me so much hope especially on the current political scene, on how God can easily humble political leaders. The story of King Nebuchadnezzar, and Zedekiah today, who both were brought low just so it is known that our Most High God rules all earthly kingdoms and gives them to anyone He wishes (Daniel 4:32). Among all the turmoil that we see, God is sovereign above all, and can cause a green tree to wither, and a withered tree to become green again. Doesn’t this statement cause the FEAR of the Lord to come all over you? He gives more grace to the humbleand resist the proud.
@Churchmouse- praying for your speedy recovery and your fully restored hearing. May He cause a big healing miracle to happen for you.
@Dorothy- praying for your sister Carol to be free from depression. Thank God that Finley is doing well.
@Victoria E- praying for your C-section on Wed and arrangements for work. Very excited for you and may God bless you with a successful delivery, a restful and speedy recovery to follow. May you be overwhelmed with joy and peace in the new season of motherhood. I think I am gonna cry happy tears. What a miracle witnessing your journey that you have been sharing all these long months. How good is our God!
@K Walls- praying for a good and meaningful job to open up for you SOON . All things are possible to him who believes –Mark 9:23.
Ladies, this is so encouraging to read. I think the enemies biggest tactic is to make us feel alone in our sin. What a gift it is to share this with you all!
I read something recently that talked abt the difference between shame & conviction. Shame is from the devil and conviction is from our Father. So good!
I’ve found the book “Live No Lies” by John Mark Comer such a great companion to this Eziekiel study. I think it’s really a must read for any believer! It’s all about finding peace and combating “the devil, the flesh and the world.” He touches on some spiritual discipline practices, which like the book of Ezekiel can be hard to hear at first but ultimately really uplifting. I first found out about John Mark when he was a SRT podcast guest.
Dear friends,
Would you be so kind as to pray for me? I had inner ear surgery very early this morning. It went well but my hearing will be severely limited in that ear, for as long as 4-6 months. However once healing is complete, which could occur sooner, the Dr anticipates good restoration to the point that I may no longer need a hearing aid in that ear. AND he thinks a custom hearing aid could improve the hearing in the right ear so that I might not need surgery. I’m thanking God for my surgeon and praying for a steady recovery with improved hearing sooner rather than later. I’m praying BIG because that’s exactly what my God is! Thank you so very much! As I recover I will certainly be praying for all your requests.
Father, thank You for the many times You have blessed me with what I thought at first was terrible and then turned out to be great. Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins and being resurrected again. Holy Spirit, help me to spread this WONDERFUL AND FANTASTIC NEWS of the Lenten season, not just during the Lenten season but always. Amen.
Sisters, prayers are needed for my sister, Carol, after texting with her last evening I feel she has gone into a severe depression and has blamed it on other health conditions. My brothers and I can’t convince her to get help.
Also, I have a praise, Finley got out of the hospital early — yesterday — and is doing well. I will return to work today.
Be blessed and remember your covenant with the Lord, sisters!!!!
This is my first time posting. I, like many of you have admitted, have had trouble reading the book of Ezekiel. I have found a lot of help in reading your comments and listening to the She Reads Truth podcast every week. I’m really enjoying this study. Although it is a messy and “not-so-pretty” process of being reminded of my sins, it is beautiful to realize how I NEED a savior and have One in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Heidi this is incredible! Thank you for sharing! I have felt that annoyance at praying but not knowing what to do either, right now I am contemplating what to do with my job after my maternity leave is over and am facing a lot of indecision and anxiety ! I believe God will give me the wisdom to know what to do when the decision needs to be made and this has inspired me not to give up in asking for it. Sisters I ask for your prayers for our scheduled c section on Wednesday. Baby still hasn’t flipped so it looks like this is how he will make his entrance into the world. Please pray for a healthy delivery and for wisdom to know how to take care of him and raise him to know his Maker. Thank you so much!!!
Hi everyone, this is my first time posting. I have to admit reading Ezekiel has been tough! It definitely helps me to read your comments. Today really hit home with me in my reading though – I am searching for a new job. I’ve had several interviews and they seem really positive and then it is ‘crickets’. I just want them to respond or I want to do something to make them respond!! I get this feeling I still need to wait and just let it play out and let God do it. If you could pray for me on this, I would really appreciate it ❤️
Heidi, thank you so much for writing this. I definitely find relation to this. I decided a few months ago that I’d return to school after years of working. Now, I live a less “free” life and am more isolated than ever. Your gentle reminder of how the Lord leads us to our growth and to remember that He is a God of great plans, provisions, and protection.
Heidi, thank you for sharing your story. Please continue to keep us updated.
Thank you to all of my SRT community for how you love on each other. What a blessing the Lord has provided. Happy Monday everyone!
Thank you, Heidi, for sharing your beautiful story. Your faithfulness is a blessing to us as well as an excellent example in following God’s direction to us. May we all be so patient in waiting to hear and understand God’s plan for us. I have much work to do in this area!
I struggle a lot in understanding the OT. The parables written regarding the roots pointing in one direction, the withering vine and having the top cut out of a tree and planted elsewhere have me scratching my head for meaning and significance. I am so thankful for the SRT and HRT writers each day. Also, you Shes provide so much content, research, and love to this community. I am so grateful to be a part of this community. Have a blessed day ladies. ❤️
Oh that terrible return button. @ Natalie to finish my thoughts… I want you to know that God met every need during that time. Instantly providing a temporary job (that became permanent) with part-time hours that were abundantly sufficient to our small family’s needs. May you find the same graces and blessings by trusting in Him who loves you.
Grateful to be reading this in community. Seana’s and Searching’s explanations, Heidi’s and Angie’s testimonies as well as the many thoughtful observations of others brought me clarity. @ Natalie Tucker. Years ago, I was a young widow and mother of two small children. I tried to stay home. It lasted for 11 months before I was faced to accept that financially I needed to return to work.
Heidi, your story brought tears to my eyes. Your deep faith and love was so evident and your witnessing powerful. Prayers for all involved and many blessings for you. Sisters have a good week.
Love that Heidi! I don’t want to guess – I want to know. And follow HIS timing.
Love the “who has something to gain if I keep driving, and who has something to gain if I go home?” Such a good way to check mindset and check if I’m being selfish in my actions or being others-centered.
Love that Heidi! I don’t want to guess – I want to know. And follow HIS timing.
“His way, His will, His strength”… I am aching for this to be the posture of my heart this morning as I wrestle with indecision. I returned to school this year, hopeful that this would be a fruitful path forward; but I have been plagued with doubt every step of the way. I want to see God’s will and be strengthened by His purpose and I am unsure if this pursuit is of my own ego or not. I confess that I am often uncertain if these doubts are of God or the Liar. I am burdened by this indecision, aching for His assured rest.
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I pray I stay away from rebellion. Help me to not be so focused on my ways. Keep me turned toward You always.
Oh, Heidi, I cannot begin to tell you how this has touched my heart. Praise God for His faithfulness and His goodness. I’m sitting in my classroom during my planning reading this and now I’ve got to get myself back together before my students come in.
Your story was an affirmation to me about what I believe God has been telling me about praying. I need to be doing it specifically and constantly.
Thank you again for sharing. I will be praying for your niece and your “adopted” niece, the RA, the guy in the car, and for you.
Amen! Help me to bend towards the Lord and not away. Let me do your will and not my own!
Oh Heidi! How wonderful! What a blessing you were to so many people…probably more as they told others about you! So glad you listened to God. ❤️
Oh Lord help me to be humble. To listen for Your direction in all things. Guide my steps and reveal Your love through me to those in my life.
@Heidi – thank you for sharing your testimony – I prayed for you and your niece on Saturday, and will continue to pray, God is so awesome!
@Tonia – thank you for sharing your testimony too!
@Taylor – continuing to pray for you, just keep going forward and your eyes fixed on Jesus.
May I daily be willing to bend my heart towards God, to submit to His will, be willing to do it His way and depend on His strength.
A blessed Monday to you all!
@Heidi what an amazing testimony!! Thank you for sharing!! Feeling the old pull of sin on my heart again. Praying the Lord would intervene and protect me and steer my heart toward Him above all else! Lord I want to trust and obey You, but this one area I still feel so weak. Help me where I feel my strength is failing. Amen <3
Very helpful! Thanks for the homework you did here!
HEIDI — what an amazing story! I have goosebumps all over, just thinking about the lifelong impact your obedience, your love, and your commitment will have on these young women. To know they are loved, valued, cherished, and NOT trash — what a gift. I am so grateful there are people like you in this world!
I will have revisit the parable about eagles. God uses symbolic imagery to describe His majesty and/or his creation-us humans. It connects well with the parable of wheat and weeds. It’s like scriptures is urging the importance of what we do and rely upon then what’s around us
When much is given, much is required. Humility is not weakness, but rather great strength acquiesced. The more willingly I lay down my pride, the more peace I have in my soul when I come to Jesus. Lord, take the reins of my life, lead me in the way I should go. As I grow with the tangles and briars, keep my eyes lifted to the hope of Zion. May my constant gaze upon You draw others to look up and find You there.
Ezekiel 17, Matt 11:20-30, 13:24-30
Lord, help this withered tree (me) to thrive and flourish. Help me to bend my heart towards you and not towards the earthly rulers of my life. Amen.
Reading this is so perfect. We are selling our horse farm. It’s been not so perfect I am learning that when I did not listen the sale did not go through I am hopeful that I can hear Gods voice and listen and watch as he has the perfect buyer for us !!
Beginning a new chapter of life today – going back to work after 8 months home with my baby and two year old. My dream of staying home with them did not work out as I hoped, but I am I grateful for all that time I had with them, to be intimate in their every moment of life. I don’t know if I am making the right decision working again – it will help financially but I fear I am trusting myself to provide (like Zedekiah going to the Egyptians) instead of trusting God to help my husbands business flourish. Now, the decision is made and all I can do is walk forward with a prayerful heart.
Heidi—beautiful story and answered prayers! Grateful for your obedience. Our actions and choices do affect those around us. ❤️❤️❤️
This last sentence reminds me of The Hard Good by Lisa Whittle that my women’s group just finished. I recommend it! Also amazing to see the echoes of the OT in the NT — Jesus knew the OT so well and quoted it all the time. I often miss those references.
Thank you, Angie and Kelly (NEO) — your words encouraged my heart and echo my own prayers as I go through a season of some pruning in my own heart.
Thank you so much HEIDI and TONIA for sharing your stories! They brought me so much encouragement and inspiration this morning. I’m praying (and asking for requests if you all do so too!) that I could have that patience, obedience, and surrender.
Dear God, may Your will be done. Make my heart turn towards You in everything that I do. Help me to turn to You always and, help me to be led by You alone. Thank You for being my Shepard. Amen.
Oh hallelujah Heidi!! I am sneakily reading this in my break at work and am grinning madly! God is so good. I am so encouraged by your testimony, God is clearly rewarding your faithfulness even when you don’t see it. Wow, it challenges me to keep listening for that small voice. Thank you x
In 2019, God started me on a journey to walk and trust Him completely. even though I grew up as a church girl and knew I am to trust God completely for all my needs, that was not the case as most of the time I allow fear and anxiety take control and I put my trust in man more than on God.
Little did I know God was preparing me for what is to come.
When the pandemic started in 2020, I was helpless, stuck in an uncomfortable situation and without no clear direction of what to do with my life but God was with me throughout and it was during this period God helped me to develop the right attitude, To be thankful and trust him completely rather than be bitter or complain about my situation.
Through my daily walk with God, listening for His voice, letting Him lead me in the right direction, spending time in His word, singing Joyful praises to Him and studying SRT devotional. My life is so much better now and I have a clearer direction and purpose. Every day I wake up joyful and thankful.
I am still learning to trust God completely everyday. And God has been so faithful to keep to every word He has spoken concerning my life. Every day gets better and sweeter knowing God is in control of my life.
I am praying for all the SHE’s may God always be with us and may we experience His love and Grace as we walk in a deeper relationship with Him. God Bless You All in Jesus name. Amen
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God is going to accomplish what God plans to accomplish. He’s showing me this more and more… I can either jump on board and be a part of the plan the way HE is executing it, or I can stand back complaining “that’s not how it’s supposed to go!” and miss out on the experience entirely. The sun won’t rise this morning without His blessing and it won’t set without His permission.
For those who have been praying- I got to see my niece- face to face in person- on Friday. It was a miracle. I felt this overwhelming need to BE with her, physically be near her. Bc of detox and because they haven’t re-evaluated their Covid protocol yet, no face to face visitors allowed. So the plan was to drive the almost 2 hours just to sit across the street and pray as long as I could before needing to head home (while texting her so she knew I was there..). She was blown away that someone would find her valuable enough to drive so far to visit KNOWING they wouldn’t even get to see her. She called when I was about 3 min away and asked if I would also pray for her friend she met in detox – then she told me the RA there was going to drive them down to the entrance gate so we could see each other. “We’re not allowed to touch at all but we can stay and talk and pray as long as we want to”. I couldn’t believe it. Mostly bc the drive up there I kept getting this voice “why are you doing this- this is so stupid. She won’t see you. You can pray at home. Turn around…” But I kept asking myself the simple question:
Who has something to gain if I go home; Who has something to gain if I continue on the drive?” So I continued on the drive.
Y’all. I got to pray over this sweet friend who has been told her whole life how worthless she is. I got to pray over my niece who has suffered under the same message by her mom. I got to pray for the RA. THEN- when they needed to get back for lunch, I promised I would stay parked across the road for a little while and worship and pray in my car. When it was time to go I asked god- hey, should I leave now or do you have anything else for me while I’m here? (*Crickets*). To which I told Him- hey, I have to say this annoys me. You clearly see I’m trying to be obedient and I’m asking Your opinion on timing and you’re not answering me. I don’t want to guess, I want to FOLLOW.” I decided I’d listen to ONE more praise song and pray, then go. Half way thru the song, this car pulls up and it’s a worker from the rehab facility. He had gotten reports of a strange car parked outside for a while and just wanted to check if all was ok. He loved what I was doing and said “”stay out as long as you need” and as he was pulling away he asked -hey, could you pray for me too??” !!!! Um- yes?! He told me his name and drove back with a huge grin- And I got Gods answer about when to leave ;)
It was a day that drained me, no doubt, but my niece is blow away someone would love her like that. Her friend has my number (and texts often!) and the fact that I’m her honorary Aunt and here with the mission of speaking worth and value into her through God’s word. Their RA has seen what’s happened and is doing more to support both girls and help them support each other. It’s amazing.
And all of it begs the question- what could I/all of us be missing out on because we let a Liar prevent us from being obedient. WHO is not getting to experience His love and goodness because I CHOOSE not to obey?
Thank you for the prayers and please don’t stop. They are working in such beautiful ways.
So moved by your story Heidi. Such an inspiring testimony. Continued blessings to you, your niece, and all those involved❤
God is the One who causes green trees to wither, and withered trees to thrive.
I had to search out the full story of Zedekiah to put all of this together (sort of) in my mind. If I’ve got this straight, Jeremiah warned Zedekiah and the story is spread throughout Jeremiah 27, 32, 34, 37, 38 and then Zedekiah is captured in chapter 39. Zedekiah’s story is interspersed throughout Jeremiah’s story and prophesy.
KASPER – Praying for Nicole and Brian’s family and other daughter
Good morning all!! Thank you Seana for this message. It helped me so to understand what was going on in this passage. You also remind us that a covenant made with people is also made with God-when we break a covenant or promise with people we also break it with God. “His way, His will, His strength” Have a blessed day, Shes!!
When our boys were young we moved onto a hog farm. I did not want to leave the home our children had been born in. I liked the house and location and, the memories. However, my husband’s dream to farm had died when his parents lost their farm, and this was an opportunity for him to have his dream. I went, but pouting in my spirit. God used that time to grow my vine toward Him, to grow our family’s vine toward Him. Farm life was very good for our children. We moved off of that farm about 20 years ago and built right down the road. That too was by God’s hand and direction. It always brings me to humble awe when I am reminded, again and again and again, of His hand upon our lives. Disciplining when needed, always guiding and drawing us closer to Him. I am so thankful. Thankful for His guidance and times I listened. Thankful for His discipline when I didn’t. Lord, right now help us to listen and obey immediately. May our vine flourish…in You. Amen.
The Lord asked, “Will [the vine] flourish?”
Will we flourish if we bow to anything but God? When our roots (what is not seen) and our branches (what bears fruit) stretch to another source, we cannot flurish, but will wither and die.
Lord, help me to stay rooted in You and Your Word. May I accept where You have planted me and trust that You have me where You want me so that I will flurish and bear fruit for Your glory.
His way. His will. His strength. Amen