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"Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?"

Text: Ezekiel 17:15

THE COVEVANT WITH BABYLON BROKEN

After Babylon defeated Israel, they entered into a covenant with Israel. Babylon is to be recognised as the overlord and Israel must fulfil the treaty (covenant entered into). Zedekiah was the new ruler of Judah and he agreed to keep all the treaty conditions.

“But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt,
that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper?
Will he who does such things escape?
Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?
‘As I live,’ says the Lord God,
‘surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king,
whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—
with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.'”
Ezekiel 17:15-16

1. Rebellion took place.

a) Zedekiah wanted to break free from the control of Babylon.

b) But Judah could not possibly stand on its own against the might of Babylon.

c) Zedekiah sent ambassadors to Egypt.

i) He sought military help from Egypt.

ii) He sought to break the covenant with Babylon even if it means war.

2. Three questions were raised.

a) Will Zedekiah prosper in this venture?

b) Will he escape the wrath of Babylon?

c) Can he break a covenant and still think he will be delivered?

d) The short but obvious answer was “No”.

3. The death of Zedekiah foretold.

a) The king of Babylon would not take this matter lightly.

b) The oath that Zedekiah swore was despised.

c) The covenant with Babylon was foolishly broken.

d) There was only one verdict to be expected.

e) Zedekiah would be executed by the king of Babylon.

f) He would be brought to Babylon and there he would perish!