QT 10/08/2025 Sun. Ezekiel 19 When Lions Fall: A Lament for Lost Leadership 当狮子倒下： 失去领导力的哀歌
QT 10/08/2025 Sun. Ezekiel 19 When Lions Fall: A Lament for Lost Leadership
READ http://www.esv.org/eze19
Ezekiel 19 is a poetic yet mournful lament. It paints a vivid picture of Israel’s downfall, particularly focusing on its leaders.
Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 19:1 – “And you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel…” (ESV)
📖 Passage Summary:
Ezekiel 19 is a lament—a funeral song—for the leaders (the "princes") of Israel, specifically from the line of Judah. It uses the imagery of a lioness and her cubs to depict Israel and its kings. One cub becomes strong, learns to tear prey, and spreads fear—but he is captured and taken to Egypt (likely Jehoahaz, 2 Kings 23:31–34).
Another cub grows strong too but meets the same fate—captured and taken to Babylon (likely Jehoiachin, 2 Kings 24:8–15). The final verses describe Israel as a once-thriving vine, now withered and burned in judgment.
🔍 Reflection:
What happens when leaders fail? What happens when the shepherds of a nation lead in pride, violence, or rebellion against God?
Ezekiel’s lament is not just about political loss—it is about spiritual collapse. The princes of Israel were meant to rule in justice, reflecting God’s heart for righteousness. But instead, they acted like predators, consumed by their own power. Their fall is a warning and a grief to Ezekiel—and to us.
This passage reminds us that God holds leaders accountable. Authority is not a license for domination, but a calling to service. These “lion cubs” were strong, but they lacked the wisdom and humility to lead as God intended.
Yet in this mourning, there is also a whisper of hope. While the kings of Judah failed, the story of Scripture points us to a better King, One who would not devour His people but lay down His life for them.
✝️ Gospel Connection:
The true and final King of Israel is not one of Ezekiel’s lion cubs. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah—Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:5). Unlike the fallen princes of Ezekiel 19, Jesus did not abuse His power. He used it to heal, serve, and save. He was not taken by force into exile—He chose the cross, bearing our sin and shame, and rose in victory.
Where human leadership fails, Christ succeeds. Where judgment fell in Ezekiel, grace flows at Calvary.
🙏 Application:
(1) For Leaders: Lead with humility, not pride. Authority is stewardship, not ownership. Leaders are not to focus on building their own kingdom and legacy—their primary focus is to lead followers to experience and participate in the kingdom of God which is already here.
(2) For All of Us: Mourn the brokenness caused by sin, but don't lose heart. Christ reigns.
(3) In Prayer: Lament over the failures of the past, but rejoice in the faithfulness of Jesus.
📌 Prayer: Lord, You are holy and just. We confess the failures of human leaders, and even our own. Teach us to mourn what is broken, but to fix our eyes on Jesus—the righteous King. Thank You for His perfect leadership, His sacrificial love, and His enduring kingdom. Help us live in the light of His reign. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 10/08/2025 星期日. 以西结书第 19 当狮子倒下： 失去领导力的哀歌
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/19/
《以西结书》第 19 章是一首充满诗意而又哀伤的哀歌。它生动地描绘了以色列的衰落，尤其是其领袖的衰落。
经文重点： 《以西结书》19：1--你当为以色列的众领袖作一首哀歌
📖 经文摘要：
《以西结书》第 19 章是为以色列的领袖（"王子"），特别是犹大一脉的领袖们所写的哀歌。它用母狮和幼狮的意象来描绘以色列及其国王。一只幼狮变得强壮，学会了撕咬猎物，并散布恐惧，但他被抓到埃及（可能是约哈斯，王下 23:31-34）。
另一只幼狮也变得强壮，但却遭遇了同样的命运--被俘并被带到巴比伦（可能是约雅斤，《列王记下》24：8-15）。最后几节经文将以色列描述为一棵曾经茁壮成长的葡萄树，如今却在审判中枯萎、燃烧。
🔍反思：
当领袖失败时会发生什么？当一个国家的牧羊人骄傲、暴力或悖逆上帝时，会发生什么？
以西结的哀叹不仅是关于政治上的损失，也是关于精神上的崩溃。以色列的王子们本应秉持正义进行统治，反映上帝的公义之心。但相反，他们却像掠夺者一样，被自己的权力所吞噬。他们的堕落是对以西结的警告和悲痛，也是对我们的警告和悲痛。
这段经文提醒我们，上帝会让领导者承担责任。权力不是支配的许可，而是服务的呼召。这些 “小狮子 ”很强壮，但他们缺乏智慧和谦卑，无法按照上帝的旨意进行领导。
然而，在这哀伤中，也有希望的低语。虽然犹大的国王们失败了，但圣经的故事却为我们指出了一位更好的王，一位不会吞食祂的子民，而是为他们舍命的王。
✝️ 福音连接：
以色列真正的、最终的王不是以西结笔下的小狮子。他是犹大支派的狮子--耶稣基督（启示录 5：5）。与《以西结书》第 19 章中堕落的王子不同，耶稣没有滥用他的权力。祂将权力用于医治、服务和拯救。祂没有被强迫流放--祂选择了十字架，背负我们的罪和羞耻，在胜利中复活。
人类领导失败的地方，基督成功了。《以西结书》中审判降临的地方，恩典却在髑髅地流淌。
🙏 应用：
(1) 对于领导者： 谦卑而非骄傲地领导。权力是用来管理，而不是拥有。带领人不要专注于建立自己的国度和遗产--他们的首要任务是带领跟随者经历及参与神的国度，而神的国度已经在这里了。
(2) 给我们所有人：哀悼罪带来的破碎，但不要灰心。基督掌权。
(3) 在祷告中： 为过去的失败哀叹，但为耶稣的信实欢欣。
📌 祷告： 主啊，你圣洁而公正。我们承认人类领袖的失败，甚至我们自己的失败。教导我们哀悼破碎的事物，但要定睛在耶稣--公义的王身上。感谢您完美的领导、牺牲的爱和永恒的国度。帮助我们活在祂统治的光辉中。奉耶稣的名。阿门。
