“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.”
(Ezekiel 17:24)
The history of redemption demonstrates the sovereign power of God overturning human expectations and establishing His purposes according to His own will. The Lord declares through Ezekiel that He brings down the high tree and exalts the low tree. He dries the green tree and causes the dry tree to flourish. This language reveals God’s absolute authority over nations, kingdoms, peoples, and hearts.
This truth is especially evidenced in the coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. The prophets foretold a Messiah who would bring a new covenant, write the law upon the heart, gather Jews and Gentiles into one people, destroy idolatry, and establish true worship throughout the earth. The kingdom would begin small yet grow mightily by divine power.
Christ came exactly as foretold. He exposed the true enemy of man—not Rome, poverty, or circumstance, but sin itself. He declared that men are kept from God by their own lusts and rebellion… and that He came not to improve human conduct but to redeem sinners and gather a holy church through grace.
The growth of Christ’s kingdom reveals the very principle declared in Ezekiel. What appeared weak became mighty. The apostles were unlearned men by worldly standards, yet through them God overturned idolatry and spread the gospel through nations. Kings, philosophers, rulers, and powers opposed Christ, yet His kingdom prevailed.
This reality demonstrates the supremacy of Christ over all earthly powers. Jerusalem rejected Him. Rome resisted Him. Religious leaders condemned Him. Yet He reigns over all. The very rejection and crucifixion that appeared to destroy His kingdom became part of the fulfillment proving His Messiahship.
This prophecy also magnifies divine sovereignty in salvation. God exalts the low tree. The weak, poor, broken, and undeserving become recipients of His grace. Meanwhile the proud and self-confident are brought low because salvation does not rest on human greatness but divine mercy.
The new covenant especially displays this mercy. God did not promise external reform but inward transformation. He writes His law on the heart and places His fear within His people so that religion becomes more than outward ceremony; it becomes spiritual life produced by grace.
Christ’s kingdom often appears small, opposed, and unimpressive by worldly measures. Yet God delights to work through what seems weak so that His glory alone may appear. The dry tree flourishes because God Himself gives life.[1]
This doctrine fortifies our hope concerning the future. Christ’s reign does not depend upon human strength. What God has spoken He will accomplish. His kingdom will continue growing until every promise is fulfilled.
Contemplations:
- My Amazement at Christ’s Kingdom. When I consider how Christ established His church through fishermen, persecuted believers, and weak instruments, I marvel at the wisdom of God. Human strength would have chosen armies, influence, and power, yet God chose weakness to display His glory. I am grateful that His kingdom advances by truth and grace rather than worldly force.
- My Pride Before God’s Sovereignty. I can see how much self-reliance still lives within me. I naturally want strength, recognition, and visible success. Yet God says He brings down the high tree and exalts the low tree. This reminds me that pride stands opposed to His ways. I need grace continually to be humbled before His sovereign wisdom.
- My Hope During Weakness. There are times when I feel spiritually dry, weak, and small. Yet this passage reminds me that God causes the dry tree to flourish. He delights to revive what appears lifeless and strengthen what appears weak. My hope therefore rests in His strength and power.
- My Desire for Christ’s Reign. I want Christ’s kingdom to advance not only throughout the world but within my own heart. I want His law written more deeply in my affections and His fear established more firmly within me, because this passage reminds me that true religion is inward and living, produced by the work of God Himself.
Prayer (Supplication):
Most sovereign and glorious Lord, I come before You acknowledging Your absolute rule over all things. You bring down the high tree and exalt the low tree. You dry the green tree and cause the dry tree to flourish. All kingdoms, nations, and peoples stand beneath Your authority, and nothing can overturn what You have spoken.
Lord Jesus, I ask that Your kingdom would continue advancing throughout the earth. You established Your church in weakness and caused it to grow by divine power. Continue gathering sinners to Yourself. Overthrow unbelief, false worship, pride, and opposition through the power of the gospel.
Also advance Your kingdom within my own heart, Lord. Humble my pride. Remove every affection that competes with Your rule. Write Your law more deeply on my heart and establish holy fear within me according to the promise of the new covenant.
Lord, I ask especially for grace during seasons of weakness. When I feel spiritually dry and discouraged, remind me that You cause the dry tree to flourish. Revive my faith when it weakens. Strengthen my hope when it fades. Restore joy when spiritual coldness settles on my soul.
I pray also for Your church throughout the world. Many believers labor in weakness, opposition, and discouragement. Strengthen them. Preserve faithful ministers. Bless the preaching of the gospel. Continue building Your church despite every earthly resistance.
Lord, keep me from measuring success by worldly standards. Teach me to trust Your methods even when they appear small and unimpressive. You delighted to use fishermen, persecuted saints, and weak instruments for great purposes. So help me rest in Your wisdom rather than human expectations.
Remind me that though the world changes continually, Your kingdom remains. Nations rise and fall, but Your word stands firm. Let this truth steady my heart amid uncertainty.
Finally, Lord, make me fruitful in Your service. Where there is dryness, bring life. Where there is weakness, bring strength. Where there is pride, bring humility. Let my life increasingly reflect the reign of Christ and the power of His grace.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Ezekiel 17:24:
Amos 9:11; 1 Samuel 2:7; Psalm 75:7; Isaiah 55:12
[1] Discourse upon Monsieur Pascall’s Thoughts, (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson .., 1688), 112-114.
