17:22 Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will take a sprig from the
lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender
one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a
high and lofty mountain.
17:23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order
that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches
will nest winged creatures of every kind.
17:24 All the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD. I
bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the
green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken; I
will accomplish it.
This is part of a larger story about the faithless
King who, in seeking to protect and liberate the
nation, makes an alliance with Egypt in order to
throw off the Babylonian yoke.
How often do fathers, in seeking to provide for
and/or defend their family, ally themselves with a
second-rate force (violence, unjust financial
gain, etc) instead of choosing to place their
trust in Yahweh and his wisdom? This text poses
the question about true fatherhood at the
crossroads of faithfulness vs. effectiveness.
Marco
