Ezekiel 19

Next is a lamentation concerning Judah:

Judah was a lioness who nourished her cubs. She brought up a young lion to catch prey and devour men, who was known by the nations. They entrapped him and brought him to Egypt in chains. 

When her hope was lost, she brought up another young lion to catch prey and devour men, who also laid waste cities with his roaring. But the nations trapped him and brought him to Babylon in a cage. His voice was no more in Israel. This was the end of the Davidic dynasty.

Judah was like a vine, planted by waters, fruitful and with strong branches for scepters of rulers; but she was plucked out in fury and cast down, her fruit dried up, and fire consumed her strong branches. Now she was in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. 

COMMENTARY

The Lord is actually lamenting over the nation of Judah, which was the southern kingdom of Israel, and two princes of Judah: Jehoahaz, who was taken away in chains to Egypt, and Jehoiachin, taken away in a cage to Babylon. They were wicked kings and only served three months each before they were removed. And yet, God wept over them. Not too many people of Israel would have wept for these kings, but God was concerned. And that is how He is towards all of us. 

God lamented over the land of Judah because He had blessed them and they were a fruitful vine. But for their wickedness, He had to pluck out the vine and carry it away into captivity. 

McGee pointed out that Judah is the lion that Jacob prophesied about in Genesis 49:9. In Numbers 23:24 it says, "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion..." And finally, Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah in Revelation 5:5: 

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

What an encouragement!