Ezekiel 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done [it].

And all the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704} shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} have brought down {H8213} the high {H1364} tree {H6086}, have exalted {H1361} the low {H8217} tree {H6086}, have dried {H3001} up the green {H3892} tree {H6086}, and have made the dry {H3002} tree {H6086} to flourish {H6524}: I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} and have done {H6213} it.

Then all the trees of the field will know that I, ADONAI, bring down the tall tree and raise up the low tree, wither the green tree and make the withered tree bear fruit. I, ADONAI, have spoken; and I will do it.'"

Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

And all the trees of the field shall know that I, Jehovah, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I, Jehovah, have spoken and have done it.

Ezekiel 17:24 concludes a rich allegory concerning the nation of Judah, its kings, and their relationship with powerful empires like Babylon and Egypt. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, especially over the rise and fall of nations and individuals.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 17, the prophet delivers a complex riddle or allegory involving two great eagles, a vine, and its branches. The first eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who removes the top branch of a cedar (King Jehoiachin of Judah) and plants a new vine (King Zedekiah). The second eagle represents Pharaoh of Egypt, to whom Zedekiah rebels by seeking military aid, breaking his covenant with Babylon. God condemns Zedekiah's treachery and foretells his downfall.

However, the passage then shifts to a profound promise of restoration and Messianic hope in Ezekiel 17:22-23, where God Himself declares He will take a tender twig from the highest branch of the cedar and plant it on a high mountain, making it a majestic cedar. This "tender twig" is widely understood to be a prophecy of the Messiah, establishing His eternal kingdom.

Verse 24 acts as the divine explanation and summation of this entire allegory, emphasizing that these events—both the judgment and the future restoration—are the direct work of God. "All the trees of the field" refers to all nations and their rulers, signifying that even pagan kingdoms will ultimately acknowledge the Lord's power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's unquestionable control over all of history and the destiny of nations. He is the ultimate orchestrator, not human kings or empires. This echoes the sentiment found in Daniel 4:17, which states that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."
  • Divine Reversal: God's power is demonstrated through His ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly. The "high tree" (representing proud Judah, its kings, or powerful nations like Babylon) is brought down, while the "low tree" (the humble remnant, or the future Messianic kingdom) is exalted. This principle of divine reversal is a recurring motif in Scripture, as seen in Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:7.
  • Judgment and Restoration: The "drying up the green tree" signifies divine judgment upon those who defy God or trust in human alliances rather than Him. Conversely, "made the dry tree to flourish" points to God's power to bring life and prosperity even out of apparent desolation, particularly in the context of the Messianic kingdom promised in Ezekiel 17:22-23.
  • God's Unfailing Word: The concluding phrase, "I the LORD have spoken and have done [it]," underscores the certainty and faithfulness of God's promises and threats. What He declares, He brings to pass, reinforcing His omnipotence and reliability, a truth also highlighted in Isaiah 55:11.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I the LORD have spoken and have done [it]" is a powerful Hebrew declaration: "Ani Adonai dibbarti ve'asiti" (אֲנִי יְהוָה דִּבַּרְתִּי וְעָשִׂיתִי). This emphatic statement highlights God's unwavering commitment to His word. It's not merely a prediction but a declaration of accomplished fact, emphasizing the certainty of His divine will being executed.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:24 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  1. Humility and Trust: It calls for humility before God, recognizing that all power and authority ultimately rest with Him. It cautions against human pride and self-sufficiency, encouraging trust in God's plan rather than earthly alliances or strength.
  2. Hope in Adversity: For those feeling "low" or like a "dry tree" in challenging circumstances, this verse offers immense hope. God has the power to reverse fortunes, to bring life out of barrenness, and to exalt the humble.
  3. Assurance of God's Promises: The declaration "I the LORD have spoken and have done [it]" provides immense assurance. Every promise of God, whether of judgment for sin or blessing for faithfulness, will come to pass. This provides a firm foundation for faith, especially in the ultimate promise of the Messiah and His kingdom.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Amos 9:11

    ¶ In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27

    But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

  • 1 Corinthians 1:28

    And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

  • Luke 1:52

    He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

  • Luke 1:53

    He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

  • Ezekiel 24:14

    I the LORD have spoken [it]: it shall come to pass, and I will do [it]; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Isaiah 26:5

    ¶ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust.

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