Scripture
All the trees will know it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and and makes the small tree grow. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life.

Observation
God gives Ezekiel a parable. He speaks of an eagle which removes the top of a cedar tree and plants it in a distant city. It takes a seedling and plants it in fertile soil. The seedling grows into a vine. Another eagle comes along and the vine starts growing towards this eagle, and the Lord plucks it out of the ground.

This parable is about Israel's leaders being taken out of Israel and moved to Babylon. The king of Israel made a treaty with the king of Babylon, but then tried to back out of it and sought protection from Egypt. The Lord is distressed by this deception and will punish the king for it.

Application
God holds all in positions of authority accountable for their actions.. Leaders must be people of integrity whose word can be trusted. Sadly, this is not always the case, and the Lord promises to punish those who seek to misuse their authority.

It is God who allows the leaders to rise and it is God who will pull them down again.

Prayer
Lord it is easy to be cynical about politicians and other leaders. Please bless our prime minister and all in authority. May they come to a place of surrender before you. Amen.