Ezekiel 17: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Ezekiel 17 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh instructs Ezekiel to tell a riddle and a parable to the house of Israel (vv. 1-2). The riddle describes a great eagle that takes the top of a cedar and plants a vine in fruitful soil (vv.

Key verse

“Thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘I will also take some of the lofty top of the cedar, and will plant it. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.”
Ezekiel 17:22 (WEB)

Outline

Ezekiel 17:1–2 The Riddle and Parable Introduced
Ezekiel 17:3–6 The First Eagle and the Vine
Ezekiel 17:7–10 The Second Eagle's Influence
Ezekiel 17:11–15 Interpretation of the Riddle
Ezekiel 17:16–21 Judgment Pronounced
Ezekiel 17:22–24 Promise of Restoration

Discussion questions

In v4, what is taken from the cedar and where is it planted?
What does the phrase 'he rebelled against him' in v15 indicate about Israel's actions?
In v12, who is the 'rebellious house' that is being addressed and what does it signify?
In v19, what does the 'oath' represent in the context of God's judgment on Judah?
When have you sought help from others in a situation instead of relying on God as in v15?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 17: Psalm 1, Ezekiel 12, Jeremiah 37.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 18.