EZEKIEL CHAPTERS 16-18 THE QUEEN BECOMES A HARLOT
THE QUEEN BECOMES A HARLOT (Ez. 16)
THE HIGHEST BRANCH OF THE CEDAR(Ez. 17)
“O’ House of Israel is Not My Way Equal?”(Ez. 18)
Ezekiel 16-18
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
Tuesday, March 24, 2008
In chapter 15, the emphasis was on Jerusalem’s worthlessness and uselessness as a fruitless vine. Here we have the parable of Israel as the unfaithful wife. The emphasis here is on her base iniquity. No passage in Ezekiel is more vivid than this chapter which sets forth the dealings of God with Israel from the beginning. It is reminiscent of truths found in Isa. 1:21 and Hos. 1:2. The prophet understood that real repentance was to be produced b y the love of Grace, and not the thunderings of Sinai. According to the Mishna, this chapter was not to be read nor translated in public.
This chapter also vividly parallels church history, from its beginnings in the book of Acts, and also from its new beginnings from the time of Luther to the present. This chapter also parallels the dealings of the Lord with each of us in our walk with Him. I had a vision once of a certain woman whom I was ministering unto. The Lord showed her to me in this vision. I was the one who cut her umbilical cord. The lesson is clear: Adam is ever an idolater and unfaithful; only Christ the new nature can prevail. Our union with Him is the object of His purpose and His workings. Let us forget every other image and return to Him with all our hearts!
Idolatry is frequently represented by the prophets under the figure of a wife’s unfaithfulness to her husband. Herein are principles of covenant. We see here the “rags-to-riches” story of a foundling child being rescued by a passing traveler and eventually wedded by him. Ezekiel gives a survey of Israel’s spiritual history from her earliest origins to his day. It is quite a history as Israel is described as a waife (16:1-7), a maiden (16:8-14), a degenerate (16:15-34), and as a punished ingrate and harlot. (16:25-42). the chapter closes with a promise of Grace and Restoration. So the story of a Queen who became a prostitute! (Verses 15-16)
Bro. Bill Britton reminds us that Jerusalem was originally an idolatrous city until David and his men defeated the Jebusites. (11 Sam. 5) He adds:
“You’ll have to read this chapter in the light of the fact that God is speaking to His end-time, son ship people…those who have not lived up to what they’re called to do. The Israelites…would have been good Amorites…they were more holy than any other nation. Their standard of life…even with the sins that they had, they were better than the Hittites and the Philistines. They were a good people. There was nothing wrong with them in the standard of the people around them. But…God was judging them by the Lion, the standard-bearer of Jesus Christ and the son ship that He wanted to bring them to! And they fell far below His standard for them…” (BB)
(48-57)As I live says the Lord God, Sodom you sister has not done, she not her daughters as you have done, you and your daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins; but has multiplied your abominations more than they, and has justified your sisters in all your abominations which you have done. You also, which has judged your sisters, bear your own shame for your sins that you have committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than you; yea, be you confounded also and bear your shame in that you have justified your sisters…you must bear your own shame, and may be confounded in all that you have done, in that you are a comfort unto them….For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride. Before your wickedness was discovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syrian and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise you round about.
Kelly Varner likens this to the Pentecostal denominations which began to organize between 1910 and 1920 up and through today. I believe we can all identify with the spirits over these nations through our Christian Journey.
Samaria – Traditional Pentecostalism
Her daughter at the left hand – (overemphasis on the negative)
Younger Sister at the right hand – (overemphasis on the positive)
Sodom – charismatic mixture
Her Daughters – Kingdom-son ship crowd
Was corrupted in all their ways…Behold this was the iniquity of your sister-
Sodom – Pride
Fullness of Bread – (The Word)
Abundance of Idleness (convention madness)
Philistines – rolling about, transitory, migrating moving to and fro, wandering, and deviating.
(59)” NEVERTHELESS I WILL REMEMBER MY COVENANT WITH YOU IN THE DAYS OF YOUR YOUTH, AND I WILL ESTABLISH UNTO YOU AND EVERLASTING COVENANT”. This is the church triumphant, the overcoming church, the Bride of Christ, the Remnant, who will triumph in the Lord Jesus Christ.
(61-63)” You shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you shall receive your sisters, your elder and your younger; and I will give them unto you for daughters, but not by your covenant. I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that I am the Lord: You may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame, when I am pacified toward you for all that you have done says the Lord. God.”
THE HIGHEST BRANCH OF THE CEDAR
Ezekiel 17
I taught this chapter as recently as July 2004. Some of you have heard this teaching. I had a vision just prior to Don having the stroke in August 2004. I have that vision attached below along with another vision I had about the Cedar tree in 1989. After the 2004 vision, came three very strong prophecies of the future ministry of both Don and I. These scriptures are very real to me. The Lord has revealed much of the Book of Ezekiel to me through vision that has to do with the present.
Also, in view of the prophetic significance of the Cedar tree, there are two magnificent cedars on either side of the gate entrance into the ranch. Sue Avery had vision years before I knew her of two cedars on either side of a gate. From that lane, would come a Move of God.
However, let us teach this as it is written and see what the Lord will speak to us on March 24, 2008. Surely we can see our nation, it’s economy, government, politics and policies in this chapter.
In this chapter we have the parable of the eagles. It is dated about 488 B.C. about two years before Jerusalem’s destruction. The emphasis is on the judgment of Zedekiah and the punishment of his treachery when he broke the oath which he had made with Nebuchadnezzar in the Name of Jehovah. (11 Kg. 24: 8-20; 11 Chron. 36: 8-13).
Keep in mind these meanings as we study this chapter:
1. A Great
Eagle
2. Great
Wings
3. Lebanon
4. The Highest Branch of the Cedar Jehoiachin, King of Judah
5. The top of His Young Twigs the princes (Daniel and others)
6. Land
of Traffick
7. The seed of the Land Zedekiah, King of Judah
8. A willow
tree
9. A spreading vine of low stature Kingdom with no height/dominion
10. Another Great Eagle Psam-metichus II, King of Egypt
The last three verse of this chapter give us the parable and metaphor of the Cedar:
- The Highest Branch of the High Cedar – The House of David
- A
Tender One
Jesus Christ, the messiah - A High Mountain and Eminent The Kingdom of God
Bro. Bill Britton notes the historical perspective above and then teaches that the Babylonian system has invaded the true church and captured the best of its youth to build its system. (Rev. 18) Babylon has made us to be a low vine, safe and secure within denominationalism, but without dominion! A low vine, not a people of the heavenlies, but yet with a good living in Babylon! He then notes that there is a difference in rebelling from Babylon and being released from Babylon by the strength of the Lord. By turning to the second eagle (as did Zedekiah), Egypt, we have turned to sin, the flesh, and especially the power of the carnal mind. Men thus try to establish government in their own strength. Kelly Varner sees in this the whole gamut of independents in the Body of Christ---these have come out of Babylon, but Babylon hasn’t come out of them! Bro. Britton shows that we cannot try to come into the perfection of full restoration by turning to Egypt; in other words, we cannot be perfected without the death of the old man or without the working of the Cross! This has to be than just confessing; there must be an impartation of the Life of God. It must be by his Holy Spirit. (Zech. 4:6)
“Egypt is that carnal mind of the flesh. As Judah began to look to Egypt to get them out of Babylon…they began to try to establish something else by the power of their carnal mind. And what did they succeed in dong? Destroying themselves…building more Babylons…God has a time …He is going to bring us out of Babylon. He is going to bring us in to a place of absolute dominion…but they tried to do it without taking the judgment…the 70 years were not up…but Zedekiah would not believe the Word of the Lord…I want to tell you what is happening in this move of god. People are trying to come into perfection without the death of this old Adam man. They’re trying to come into the Kingdom without going to the cross. And, as a result, we’re finding people saying, we are already perfected. We already have divine order. We’re already behind the Vail. We’ve already go everything.” And all they’re going to do is succeed in destroying their chances for the Kingdom…so what’s going to happen? There are people who are trying to come in to their individual kingship…doing it by the power of the carnal mind…the psychic force…self-projecting into the kingdom of God…your flesh is going to die…but notice, there’s still a high cedar (Jesus Christ)…and what is that mountain? The Kingdom of God!...multitudes converted, and all nations receiving…this Gospel of the Kingdom…”(BB)
Zedekiah’s turning to Egypt (the carnal mind) also points out the need for balance in many “Deliverance” circles; that is, those who are major in the casting out of demons. While it remains a valid part of Jesus’ and therefore Kingdom ministry, we need some understanding.
“We have to an hour when there is a great deal of deliverance going on, and a lot of time and effort is being wasted trying to deliver people from the carnal mind under the title of demons…There is nothing that the natural man would do any quicker than cover up…and have the saints of God spend hours and hours trying to deliver them from something that is more psychic and natural…than it is demonic…certainly I believe there are Christians who are tormented. There are those who have accepted and are bound in some areas by demonic powers, but we should not waste time on people who are not demon-possessed, but who are self-possessed! So we deal with them…thinking that we are talking about demons when we’re talking about another man. We’re dealing with Egypt.”
(1-10)… Son of Man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable…A great Eagle (the King of Babylon) with great wings (extensive empire), long winged (rapid in conquest), full of feathers (multitude of subjects) which had divers colors (nations), came unto Lebanon (here Jerusalem) and took the highest branch of the Cedar (Jehoiachin- Jer. 22:23-24): he cropped off the top of his young twigs 9princes), and carried it into a land of traffick (Babylon); he set it in a city of merchants. He took also the seed of the land (Zedekiah) and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters and set it as a widow tree (under Babylon, depending on her sustenance). And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature (no dominion), whose branches turned toward him (Nebuchadnezzar)…There was also another Great Eagle (Egypt)…this vine did bend her roots toward him, that he might water it (Nile) by the furrows of her plantation. It was planted in good soil…that it might be a goodly vine…shall it prosper? Shall He not pull of the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither (the glory of man – 1 Pet. 1:24)? It shall wither in all the leaves of her Spring; even without great power of many people to pluck it up…shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind (judgment) touches it…in the furrows where it grew.”
(22-24) “…I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar (Jer. 23: 5-6; 33:15) (House of David), and will set it. I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender One (the Messiah, both head and body- Isa. 11:1), and will plant it upon a high mountain and eminent (Zion – Isa. 2; Mic 4); in the mountain of the height of Israel (the new nature) will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs (branches – the man whose name is the branch) and bear fruit (Jn. 12:20-33;) and be a Goodly Cedar (Eph. 1: 1-14); and under (it’s influence) shall dwell all fowl of every wing (Phil. 2: 1-11(; in the shadow 9Isa. 32:1-4) of the branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the trees (all nations – Mt. 24:14_ of the field shall know that I, Jehovah have brought down the high tree (Jehoiachin of Judah), have exalted the low tree (Zedekiah), and have dried up the Green Tree (Zedekiah’s sons and house), and have made the dry tree (the Messiah) to flourish: Jehovah has spoken and has done it.”
VISION OF THE NIGHT -THE BRANCHES OF THE CEDAR TREE - Ezekiel 17
Vision given to Carolyn Sissom, July 8, 2004.
These are two visions given to me. The most recent was July 8, 2004. The first
vision was in April 1989. As Bible students will know, the first CEDAR TREE in
the book of Ezekiel is a parable describing Jehoiachim, King of Judah.
The second CEDAR TREE is metaphorical of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Both of the CEDAR'S in the below mentioned visions are metaphorical of the Lord
Jesus Christ, THE BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNES. The HIGH CEDAR is the high calling of
Phil. 3:12-14. To flourish means to sprout or blossom, be vigorous and strong
(by the power of His own Endless Life! ( Heb. 7:16).
July 8, 2004 VISION OF THE GOODLY CEDAR:
Don and I were sitting under a very HIGH CEDAR. Taller than any tree could be. The CEDAR touched the sky. A branch had grown straight out then down toward the earth. (Ez. 17: 7-9) Ezekiel was here referring to Egypt and the King of Egypt (world system).
I said to Don we need to get a chain saw and cut off that branch... It will kill the tree. When I said that, a supernatural power CROPPED OFF the branch of the tree. (This power could be described as a wind.) The cutting of the huge branch caused the tree to sway and shake. This wind shook another branch as large as a normal sized tree from the interior of the CEDAR The branch crashed on the path and supernaturally missed Don and I. From this momentum, another huge branch fell on the opposite side of the tree. It was a dead branch. Don and I stood in the midst of this unafraid and unshaken. I walked to the base of the very high Cedar and looked up. After the supernatural pruning the tree was healthy, strong, and vigorous and a beautiful green color. The green Cedar was stretching high against the sky.
Trees metaphorically describe people and/or King's of Kingdom's
SECOND VISION OF
THE CEDAR
In April 1989, I had a vision of the Branch of The Lord. It is as follows:
I was on a wooded mountainside near the top of the mountain in a tree with a view of a beautiful forest. I was facing a tree from which a gentle wind (not a storm) blew a branch of the tree many miles into a valley, never breaking from the tree. (The branch stretched to an incredible length). The branch then returned in place and the leaves of the tree were gold in color and gloriously beautiful.
Then I was on the ground watching the wind blow through the trees. Out of the wind came the TOP of a CEDAR TREE. It was shaped like a CHRISTmas tree, but blue-violet in color. It was loaded with blue-violet pomegranates. I grabbed the tree and took it to a place where a banquet was being served to a large number of people. I spoke to the man-at-the-head-of-the-table announcing to him what we should have a banquet of thanksgiving because of the CEDAR TREE. He agreed and instructed me to open up this immense banquet room.
Then I sat down at the table and asked him for a $100 from the budget each month to set aside for kitchen expense whether used or unused, but to be there when needed. The next scene I was opening up this huge banquet room which had been unused for years. I immediately began to set out cold drink and food.
METAPHORS
Mountain - The Kingdom
of God (Heb. 12:22; Ez.
34; Isa. 2:2)
Forest. People (Isa. 7:2b)
Bad Branch. Babylonian system in the Kingdom, Egypt, etc., That which is produced by the carnal mind. Men try to establish their kingdoms within the Kingdom of God for their own selfish ambitions.
.
Branch of the Cedar in the second vision - Jesus Christ of Nazareth - Messiah, The Lord our
Righteousness (Jer. 23: 5-6) Ezek... 17:22-24) Kingdom
of God established by the Sons of God
inclusive of spiritual Israel
(church) and redeemed Israel.
(Ezek 36:8; and Isa. 11.1)
Wind in the April 1989 Vision....... Holy Spirit... Since it was a gentle wind, the metaphor of the south wind would apply. (Job 37:17, 21; Jn. 3:8) In the vision it was a Holy Wind.
Wind that cropped of the branches of the TALL CEDAR......... East wind of judgment (Ezek. 17:10) (Job. 1:19)
Blue-Violet Pomegranates - Royalty - Fruit of Righteousness - fragrant sweet savor
“O House of Israel, Is Not My Way Equal?”
(Ezekiel 18)
This chapter is a milestone in Jewish theology. It concerns individual responsibility before God. Judgment is according to individual conduct. However, it was not a new idea. (Deut. 24:16). But here the prophet really magnifies the principle.
(18:2-4)“What mean you that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” As I live, says the Lord god, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, and has not eaten upon the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has defiled his neighbor’s wife, and has not oppressed any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has spoiled none by violence, has given his bread to the hungry and has covered the naked with a garment; He that has not given forth upon usury, neither has taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man, has walked in my statutes, has kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is jut, he shall surely live, says the Lord God.
“The souls that sins, it shall die…” (18:4) Much is said in the prophets to the effect that Israel’s captivity was due to the cumulative sins of preceding generations. Ezekiel’s generation, overlooking the fact that they were worse than their fathers, were blaming the fathers! Here is a most impassioned plea for personal repentance (Rom 14:12; Gal. 6: 6-9)
The objection with which Ezekiel deals in this chapter is expressed in the words of the well-worn saying, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” This was a common proverb in ancient Israel (Jer. 31:29) and said that the sufferings of one generation are due to the misdeeds of the previous generation. Ezekiel saw this as a pernicious doctrine, leading to a spirit of fatalism and irresponsibility.
Ezekiel deals with three kinds of people in this chapter:
1. 18: 5-9: a righteous man who remains righteous.
2. 18: 10-13: An unrighteous son of the righteous man.
3. 18: 14-19 – a righteous son of the previous unrighteous man.
The sour grapes which fathers eat are their own personal sins which they commit; the setting of the children’s teeth on edge is the unpleasant sensation of acid on their teeth. The people charged God with injustice for visiting upon them the sings of their fathers, thus causing the innocent to suffer instead of the guilty. But contrary to the unrighteous opinions of the people, God’s righteousness is evidenced by His granting an opportunity for repentance by offering life. (18: 30-32)
As with all the pronouncement of judgments, the way back into the presence of the Lord is so simple.
“Yet says the house of Israel, the way of the Lord is not equal, O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? Are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die O house of Israel? For “ I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves and live.”
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture quotes from KJV. Text is from P,P,T by K.V and quotes from Bill Britton. The visions were given to Carolyn Sissom.
We are streaming our messages: Click Streaming Sermons, then audio streams, then audio sermons, then Broadband. www.eastgateministries.com