23在十七章二十二至二十三节,大卫的家,他的王室,被比作香柏树。首先,这树的枝子,约雅斤,被折断。以后另一枝子,西底家,被立,也被折断。最后,这一章告诉我们,这树的树梢有一嫩枝,要被拧去,栽于高山上,成为高大的香柏树。我们若细读,就会看见这嫩枝乃是指基督说的。基督属于大卫的家,生为大卫家的后裔,祂是大卫香柏树的嫩枝。祂这嫩枝,因著被钉十字架而被折断。当祂被钉十字架时,祂这嫩枝就被『拧断』。但藉著复活,祂被栽于高山上,并且成了极大的香柏树。人『拧断』这嫩枝,但神使祂复活并升天。这样,神将基督栽于高处,成为佳美的香柏树,多民必宿在其下。这不仅是豫言,也是神给沮丧子民的应许。那时大卫的家完全沮丧失望,但以西结豫言,从大卫家必有一嫩枝出来,栽于高山上,这枝要成为极大的香柏树。这对大卫的家,是关于基督的鼓励和应许。虽然大卫的家因著他们的败坏被『拧断』,而变为荒凉低微,但有一天他们要在基督里得著复兴。他们因著联于基督,就要再次变得佳美。对我们而言,在我们属灵的经历上,原则也是一样。我们因著一些过错而被『拧断』,因此成为低微的。但因为神使我们联于基督,与祂成为一,我们就要在祂里面变为尊高的。
23In 17:22-23 the house of David, the royal household, is likened to a cedar tree. First, a branch of the tree, Jehoiachin, was cut off. Later, another branch, Zedekiah, was set up and was also cut off. Eventually, this chapter tells us that on the top of this cedar tree there was one tender twig, one tender branch, which was cropped and planted on the top of the mountain, becoming a high cedar. If we read carefully, we will realize that this tender twig is Christ. Christ, who belongs to the house of David and who was born as a descendant of the house of David, is a tender branch of the cedar of David. As such a tender branch, He was cut off by being crucified. When He was nailed to the cross, He, the tender One, was “cropped.” But by His resurrection He was planted on the mountaintop and eventually became a great cedar tree. Man “cropped” this tender One, but God caused Him to be resurrected and to ascend. In this way God planted Christ in a high place, and Christ became a majestic cedar under which many people will dwell. This was not only a prophecy but also a promise given by God to the discouraged people. At that time the house of David was fully discouraged and disappointed, but Ezekiel predicted that out of the house of David there would be a tender twig set upon the mountaintop and this twig would become a great cedar tree. This was an encouragement and a promise to the house of David concerning Christ. Although the house of David was “cropped” because of their corruption and thus became desolate and lowly, one day they will be revived in Christ. Because they will be joined to Christ, they will become majestic once again. The principle is the same with us in our spiritual experience. Because of certain wrongdoings, we may be “cropped” and thereby become lowly. But because God has caused us to be joined to Christ and to be one with Him, we will become majestic in Him