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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 190

"A lamentation for the princes of Israel"

Text: Ezekiel 19:1

A LAMENTATION

This word signals a dirge that expressed deep sadness over the last few kings of Judah (Israel). The last few kings were really bad because of their wickedness.

“Moreover take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
and say: ‘What is your mother? A lioness:
She lay down among the lions;
Among the young lions she nourished her cubs.'”
Ezekiel 19:1-2

1. “Princes of Israel”

a) They were not called “kings” though they were the rulers.

b) They were regarded as princes.

i) Because they were not worthy to be respected as “kings”.

ii) They were reckless.

iii) They were arrogant.

2. The last few rulers of Judah.

a) Jehoahaz became the ruler of Judah at 23 years (2 Kings 23:31).

i) He reigned for only 3 months.

ii) He did evil and was taken as a prisoner to Egypt (2 Kings 23:33)

iii) He died there.

b) Eliakim (aka Jehoiakim)

i) He was 25 years old when he became king (2 Kings 23:36).

ii) He was the brother of Jehoahaz.

iii) He reigned 11 years but did evil (2 Kings 23:34-37; 24:1-7).

c) Jehoiachin

i) He was 18 years when he became king (2 Kings 24:8).

ii) He reigned for only 3 months (2 Kings 24:8).

iii) He did evil too (2 Kings 24:9).

iv) He became a prisoner of Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-16).

d) Zedekiah

i) He became king at 21 years (2 Kings 24:18a).

ii) He reigned 11 years (2 Kings 24:18b).

iii) His sons were killed before his eyes (2 Kings 25:7a).

iv) He was then blinded by the king of Babylon (2 Kings 25:7b).

3. Israel as the lioness.

a) Israel nourished the young cubs (princes).

b) Like a lioness, Israel gave support to the princes.

c) But what kind of rulers would they become?