Journey Through Ezekiel and Danielનમૂનો

Ezekiel’s Prophetic Word: Behind the Text
Ezekiel’s parables—including his own dramatizations—were not uncommon among prophets in the ancient world.
Symbolic Act at Mari
The symbolic acts of biblical prophets might seem strange or convoluted to our modern sensibilities, but they are not unusual in an ancient context. Symbolic actions say things dramatically and memorably. An Akkadian letter dated around 1770 BC describes the symbolic action of a prophet at the city of Mari, an ancient city in modern day Syria.
A prophet of Dagan came to me and spoke as follows: This is what he said: “Verily what shall I eat what belongs to Zimri-Lim? Give me one lamb and I shall eat it!” I gave him one lamb and he devoured it raw in front of the city gate. He assembled the elders in front of the gate of Saggaratum and said: “A devouring will take place!”
By eating the lamb raw, the prophet of Dagan (a fertility god common in many ancient Near Eastern cultures) was telling the people that his god was going to devour everything that belonged to Zimri-Lim, the king of Mari.
These symbolic actions create memorable scenes that carry a deeper message. Of course, they also have the potential of being misunderstood. Onlookers could see the prophet of Dagan eating raw lamb and think he was insane, just like they could see Ezekiel climbing through a hole in the wall and think that he was a thief or vandal. In this case, even the confusion over what was happening could have the effect of getting people's attention and prompting them to ask what was happening. This kind of curiosity can keep an audience engaged until a message is understood. And once understood, the scene and its meaning would not soon be forgotten.
Source: Christopher Hays, Hidden Riches, 2014, pp. 239-240. The Akkadian letter ARM 26 206 (=A. 3893).
About this Plan

Have you ever wished for a Bible study that could take you beyond surface-level reading? If so, get ready for our journey through Ezekiel & Daniel! You'll get to immerse yourself in Scripture (by looking at key terms and ideas), explore what's behind it (by learning historical-cultural background), and also discover its impact by considering its implications, not only for you, but for the global church. Let's dive in!
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