Ezekiel 31:6
All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Ezekiel 31:6 portrays Assyria at the height of its power, prosperity and glory as a great tree, a noble cedar. That cedar stands in Lebanon in the garden of God and towers above all the surrounding trees. Its branches and shade give a dwelling place where many peoples and all great nations live under its protection, power and influence. Its boughs give nesting places for the fowls of heaven and its branches give shelter under which the beasts bring forth their young, picturing many creatures sheltered by it.
The image displays the glory and wide dominion of the Assyrian realm before its fall. Its greatness and unusual blessing was given to benefit mankind. The cedar's lifted height serves as a warning against pride. The rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire in this greatness is rich in lessons for the nations of earth today.