How does Ezekiel 19:3 illustrate the consequences of ungodly leadership? Setting the Scene • Ezekiel 19 is a lament for Judah’s princes—kings who descended from David yet abandoned the Lord. • “The lioness” pictures the royal line; her “cubs” are her sons who sat on the throne. • Ezekiel 19:3 focuses on the first of these cubs, usually identified as King Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31-34). Text under the Microscope “ ‘She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.’ ” (Ezekiel 19:3) Ungodly Leadership Exposed • Learned behavior — The cub “learned to tear his prey.” Leadership is not neutral; rulers deliberately embrace either righteousness or violence. • Predatory rule — “Devoured men” points to oppression, injustice, and bloodshed (cf. Micah 3:1-3). • Rejection of covenant standards — God had charged kings to “write for himself a copy of this law… so that he may learn to fear the LORD” (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). Jehoahaz did the opposite. • Public impact — When a leader goes astray, people suffer. Proverbs 28:15: “Like a roaring lion… is a wicked ruler over a poor people.” Consequences in View • Divine removal — Jehoahaz reigned only three months before Pharaoh Neco took him captive (2 Kings 23:33). • National instability — His brief, violent reign accelerated Judah’s slide toward Babylonian exile (2 Chronicles 36:11-17). • Loss of testimony — Instead of showcasing God’s justice, the throne became a byword for corruption (Jeremiah 22:17). • Judgment fits the crime — A leader who acted like a beast was caged like one (Ezekiel 19:4). Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Ezekiel 22:27 — “Her officials… are like wolves tearing their prey.” • Hosea 8:4 — “They made kings, but not through Me.” • Matthew 7:16-17 — “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Violent fruit proves a corrupt root. • Psalm 125:3 — “The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous.” God intervenes before evil rule becomes permanent. Takeaways for Today • Character in leadership matters; ungodliness inevitably harms people. • Power doesn’t corrupt only the leader—it corrodes the entire community. • God remains sovereign: He sets limits, removes tyrants, and vindicates His righteousness. • Followers of Christ are called to pray for, support, and when necessary challenge leaders, holding them to God’s standards (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Acts 5:29). |
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