Chapter 19

My TCR ESV labels this chapter "A Lament for the Princes of Israel"

vss 1-9 are a metaphor of Israel as a lion.  There are two parts it seems.  The first male cub raised up by Israel grows strong and then is perceived as a threat by the men that the young lion feeds upon.  So they capture this lion, and take it away to Egypt.  Is this Jacob and his family, and the 400 years in Egypt?  When the mother lion sees this, she raises another male cub.  This cub becomes even stronger, devouring widows and laying waste to cities and appalling the nations nearby.  This lion is attacked by the surrounding nations, all together against this lion.  This lion is brought to the king of Babylon, and his voice was heard no more.  MSB says this is about the collapse of the Davidic dynasty.  The first part is about not Jacob, but about Jehoahaz, and Jehoiachin in the first instance, and about Zedekiah in the second.  Hmm...I really don't see Zedekiah as a lion.  Much more in the MSB notes on this chapter.

vss 10-14 are a second metaphor:

Israel is compared to a vine that grew strong and tall and bore fruit.  But now it has been plucked up violently, dried out, and been burned in the fire.  It has no strength and is weak, and there is "...no strong stem, no scepter for ruling."

The MSB note is very good here.  Too good not to transcribe:

"19:14 The blame for the catastrophe that came to Judah is laid on one ruler, King Zedekiah who was responsible for the burning of Jerusalem because of his treachery (cf. Jer 38:20-23).  The house of David ended in shame and for nearly 2600 years since, Israel has had no king of David's line.  When Messiah came, they rejected Him and preferred Caesar.  Messiah still became their Savior and will return as their King.

2025 - The first lion is a metaphor for God's promises to Abraham.  They went down to Egypt, the whole of Israel, and there they turned into a great nation.  But that nation became a rebellious house and they died in the desert.  God finished them off for their rebellion.  He started over, with a second lion, going into Canaan and capturing the land.  But again they turned to idols, they rebelled, they worshiped everything but God.  And that lion was taken away to Babylon.  Two full on chances to follow the promises of God, and they turned away both times.  So now what are they?  A vine in the wilderness, in desolate circumstances, with no one in the whole land worthy to be blessed and supported by God as King.  It is not that David has no descendants, they are just all unworthy.  The fire has burned down the nation of Israel.  That is where they remain. 

2025 - They rebelled twice.  They must be punished twice.  I think maybe here is where we see the double punishment.  And then the rejection of Messiah is still another thing.  A longer curse.