When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion. - Ezekiel 19:5

Today's Scripture Reading (May 14, 2020): Ezekiel 19

Political satirist P. J. O'Rourke makes this comment about the difference between Democrats and Republicans in the American political system. "The Democrats are the party of government activism, the party that says government can make you richer, smarter, taller, and get the chickweed out of your lawn. Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work, and then get elected and prove it." One promises the moon, but can't deliver it, while the other doesn't even intend to try to change anything. I am not sure that O'Rourke is right, but I freely admit that all too frequently in politics, I vote for the most tolerable alternative, rather than something that causes me excitement. Sometimes I think that the U. S. Declaration of Independence should have read that "all politicians are created equal, regardless of the political party or which side of the pond they find themselves." The truth is that we have abolished our incompetent kings and queens so that we could have the freedom to elect a series of our incompetent politicians who think that they are our kings and queens. And in the end, nothing really changes.

Once again, Ezekiel gives a running commentary on what is happening back in Jerusalem. In his story of the lioness, he reflects on the political situation in Jerusalem. When King Josiah died, he was replaced by his son Jehoahaz. But Jehoahaz was a cruel leader, and Egypt quickly declared that he was unworthy of leading the nation. Jehoahaz was promptly removed from the throne, after a short three-month reign, only to be replaced by his brother, Jehoiachin. The problem was that Jehoiachin, who reigned from 609 until 597 B.C.E., was not an improvement. In fact, all of the sons of Josiah seemed to be equally incompetent. There were no bright lights and none who even tried to lead the nation back to God. They amounted to nothing but interchangeable monarchs, who led for a time until they were removed, or until the country ceased to exist.

Such a political system does not give the citizen much reason to hope. And that is Ezekiel's point. His message to the exiles is that there is not a Josiah or a Hezekiah waiting in the wings to save Israel, let alone a David who could restore the nation to its political heights. Just political leaders who either did not understand the situation and those who refused even to try to understand. Salvation was not coming from the Kings of Judah. It never had. Salvation could only come from God.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 20