Why do historical records show dominant powers rising despite Ezekiel 17:24's promise that God will bring down the high and exalt the low?

Context of Ezekiel 17:24

Ezekiel 17 contains a parable about an eagle, a vine, and two cedars representing the interplay of kings and kingdoms. This culminates in Ezekiel 17:24, where God declares:

“‘All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’”

In the historical context, this prophecy addresses the fate of Israel’s monarchs and neighboring powers, particularly referencing Jerusalem’s captivity under Babylon. The principle is that God alone determines how and when nations are exalted or humbled.

Understanding the Divine Reversal

The Scriptural theme of “divine reversal”—humbling the proud and exalting the humble—appears throughout the Bible. In Luke 1:52, Mary proclaims:

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.”

Such promises reveal a larger principle: Prideful powers will eventually be brought low, whereas those trusting in God will ultimately be lifted up. Yet this humbling or exaltation may not always be instantaneous from humanity’s perspective.

Why Do Dominant Powers Sometimes Appear to Thrive?

1. God’s Sovereign Timing

Many historical records show empires thriving longer than expected. Yet Scripture consistently teaches that God judges in His own timing (2 Peter 3:8–9). The Babylonian Empire rose swiftly, but eventually fell to the Persians (Daniel 5:28–31). Rome also held vast power for centuries before collapsing under political, military, and societal pressures.

2. Instrument of Judgment

God occasionally uses powerful nations to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 10:5–7). Assyria and Babylon were “rods” of discipline for Israel, not permanently blessed nations. Their rise served a purpose before their downfall. Archaeological digs in Nineveh confirm Assyria’s once-great wealth and sudden ruin, reflecting biblical prophecy in Nahum 3.

3. Long-Term Fulfillment vs. Immediate Expectations

The downfall of the “high tree” may not occur overnight. Even scriptural prophecies can unfold gradually. For instance, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which include fragments matching the text of Ezekiel, attest to the precise preservation of promises about judgment and restoration—yet these events did not always happen at once. Over time, excavations at Babylon confirm it transitioned from a world capital to ruins, illustrating the gradual working out of divine pronouncements.

4. Earthly Rise vs. Eternal Perspective

The temporary might of a kingdom can appear to contradict God’s promise, but Scripture frames ultimate triumph in eternal terms. Even if a power seems to flourish now, history repeatedly shows an eventual collapse. Excavated cities such as Ur, once a major power center, lie in ruins, affirming the cyclical downfall of mighty civilizations.

Biblical Parallels to Ezekiel’s Principle

1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Story

Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon, was literally brought low to a beast-like state (Daniel 4:28–33). His eventual restoration only came when he acknowledged God’s supremacy. This fulfills the principle that exaltation by God follows genuine humility.

2. Egypt’s Rise and Fall

Egypt dominated the ancient Near East. Yet as prophesied (Ezekiel 29:14–15), it waned to a “humble” state compared to its former glory. Archaeologists confirm transitions in Egyptian power under various dynasties, verifying a downward shift that matched biblical proclamations.

3. Persian and Greek Empires

The Persian Empire conquered Babylon, only to fall under Alexander the Great. Alexander’s Greek Empire then fragmented shortly after his death. Despite long periods of dominance, each was ultimately displaced.

Divine Justice and Human Free Will

While some empires extend their rule through cunning or conquest, Scripture attests that God allows the free will of nations and rulers, even as He governs over the grand tapestry of history (Proverbs 21:1). Scientific studies on behavioral patterns of leadership show that human pride, corruption, and systemic flaws eventually undermine even the greatest polities.

Evidence from geological layers in regions like the Levant reaffirms cataclysmic events (earthquakes, droughts, or invasions) that disrupted seemingly invincible civilizations. Over centuries, such factors compound to bring high powers to their knees.

God’s Character in Judgment and Restoration

1. Mercy and Patience

God’s slowness to bring judgment reflects His desire for repentance (Ezekiel 18:23). In many historical cases, a period of grace precedes a dramatic fall—giving time for potential reform.

2. Ultimate Fulfillment

Even if a nation’s downfall is not observable by nearby generations at some moments in history, accounts from later eras record the collapse—such as the once “invincible” Europe-based empires eventually dissolving.

3. Promise of Exaltation for the Lowly

Similarly, groups and nations in humble positions have been dramatically elevated through transformative events. For instance, Israel’s reestablishment in the twentieth century is seen by many as a continuation of prophetic hope and an example of God preserving a remnant (Romans 11:5). Archaeological documentation of ancient Hebrew presence supports the longstanding continuity of this people, despite repeated subjugations.

Pervasive Consistency of Ezekiel’s Message

Textual analysis by specialists in biblical manuscripts—such as those comparing the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls—validates that Ezekiel’s words have been accurately preserved. This further endorses the authenticity of the promise that God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.

Outside writings, including accounts by Greek historians like Herodotus and Josephus’s records of Jewish history, also confirm the progression of rises and falls plainly described in Scripture. These support the notion that no empire remains perpetually dominant against the tides of time and divine decree.

Conclusion

The appearance of continued dominance by certain powers does not negate the promise that God “will bring down the high tree and exalt the low.” Rather, historical and archaeological records show that these falls often come in God’s sovereign timing. The underlying principle of divine reversal stands: nations or individuals exalted in pride without repentance will ultimately be humbled, while the humble are given a sure hope of exaltation.

This passage in Ezekiel reassures that God’s purposes will prevail, underscoring His active role in guiding history toward redemption and His glory.