Where the grass is greener, there is always a catch
by Stephen Abraham
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But the king rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt to get horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the treaty and yet escape? (Ezekiel 17:15)
Read Ezekiel 17:1–15
A parable involving two great eagles, a vine and a cedar tree. This prophecy represents the history of Judah’s political manoeuvring. Its lesson reaches across millennia and straight into our hearts, reminding us of the dangers of misplaced trust and switching allegiances when the going gets tough.
The story describes a great eagle that takes the top of a cedar tree and plants a vine in fertile soil. This vine grows, but it soon bends its roots toward a second eagle, seeking water and protection rather than relying on the soil where it was originally planted. God asks a piercing question: ‘Will it thrive? Will it not be uprooted and wither?’ The vine represents King Zedekiah and the people of Judah. God had placed them in a position to survive under Babylon, but they broke their covenant and turned to Egypt for help. They looked away from God’s provision and sought security in another alliance.
How often are we (or those we know) tempted to do the same? Something or someone upsets us in our community, but rather than working through the issues, we become disgruntled. Suddenly, the grass looks greener somewhere else. When difficulty comes, it is tempting to ‘bend our roots’ toward other securities – a new place of work, a different church, a fresh school, a more attractive community. We convince ourselves that these ‘new eagles’ will nurture us exactly the way we want them to.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times when God calls us to new circumstances. But it’s worth asking: ‘Is this what God wants, or is this what I want?’ When these questions come, remember the vine in Ezekiel’s riddle and the danger of turning away from the place where God has planted you. True stability does not come from shifting trust based on our whims; it comes from God’s faithfulness and trusting alone in his will for our lives.
Heavenly Father, I confess that when life gets difficult, I look elsewhere for security and comfort. Forgive me for the times I turn my heart away from you. Anchor my soul deeply in your love, truth and grace. Guide me with the tough conversations I need to have. Give me the strength to rely on your power alone so that I may grow, endure and thrive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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