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"He despised the oath by breaking the covenant"

Text: Ezekiel 17:18

THE FATE OF ZEDEKIAH FORETOLD

Zedekiah was both cunning and devious. All he planned was out of self-interest. He did not realise the consequences of his actions.

“Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company
do anything in the war, when they heap up a siege mound
and build a wall to cut off many persons.
Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant,
and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.”
Ezekiel 17:17-18

1. The might of Egypt.

a) Pharaoh had a mighty army.

b) Zedekiah trusted that Egypt would come to his rescue.

c) However, he had not reckoned carefully enough.

i) Was Egypt mighty enough to stand against Babylon?

ii) Would Egypt risk being defeated by Babylon for the sake of Judah?

iii) Egypt might be able to help if Judah was struggling against traditional enemies like the Moabites, Ammonites etc.

d) Egypt did not come to the aid of Judah when Babylon attacked Judah.

2. What Babylon did.

a) King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.

b) Judah was helpless against the Babylonians.

c) No army came to the aid of Judah.

d) No one dared to risk offending the mighty Babylonian empire.

e) Babylon would starve Judah and bring the city to its knees.

3. The cunning and wicked deeds of Zedekiah.

a) He had given oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar.

b) He had entered into a covenant with Babylon.

c) He now despised the oath and the covenant made.

d) He reneged on what he had sworn to perform.

e) Would he escape judgment and punishment from the Babylonians?

f) The fate of Zedekiah was foretold.
“He shall not escape!”