BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

The end of Egypt’s empire is coming. Today’s reading opens with three more oracles against the nation. They describe Pharaoh’s downfall in cosmic terms.

A towering tree falls with an earth-shaking crash, littering the valleys with splintered ruins. The great sea dragon will be hauled from the watery depths, writhing with helpless fury in Yahweh’s net. Finally, Pharaoh and his army will go down to the realm of the dead (Hebrew: sheol) to lie in the disgraced ranks of the slain.

But Jerusalem has gone the way of Egypt’s Pharaoh. The city now sits at the head of a corrupted empire. It must fall first. In Ezekiel 33, we reach one of the lowest points of the whole book. A survivor comes to Ezekiel with terrible news: The Babylonian army has burned Jerusalem to the ground.

Framing this story are two passages focused on correcting false beliefs among the Israelites. The exiles in Babylon finally own up to their wrongdoing, but feel guilty to the point of hopelessness. Meanwhile, the survivors in Jerusalem think that God has chosen them to rebuild the nation among Judah’s scorched ruins, even though they continue to practice idolatry and injustice.

Ezekiel gives both communities the same message: Yahweh offers a hopeful future if (and only if) they repent. This repentance is not merely about apologizing. It means turning from their current ways of life. They must trust and follow Yahweh.

The first and last sections of chapter 33 again describe Ezekiel’s prophetic mission to speak the truth to the people—whether they listen to his warnings or not. Now that Ezekiel’s worst prophecies have come true, perhaps the people will wake up and start listening. Perhaps?

Reflection Questions

• On rare occasions, Yahweh speaks directly to someone, such as when Yahweh addresses Moses from a burning bush. Far more often, God delivers his instructions and warnings through people. Meditate on the speech in Ezekiel 33:1-6, where Yahweh explains the weight of Ezekiel’s responsibility. Why do you think God speaks through a human being rather than delivering it directly, say, through a booming voice in the sky?
• Read Jesus’ parable in Mark 4:30-32. What parallels do you notice in today’s reading?