Ezekiel: For His GlorySample

Ezekiel next presents two dramas and two rebuttals. 

The dramas foretell what is going to happen to Jerusalem:  

1. Ezekiel digs a hole in the wall of his house and goes through the wall with his baggage, walking off into the distance (vv. 3–7). Although the prophet performs the sign-act in the sight of the people, they do not see; that is, they don’t understand (vv. 2, 8–9). So the prophet explains that it symbolizes what will happen to the king and the people in Jerusalem (vv. 10–16). King Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem through a hole dug in the wall, but the outcome will be shameful for him for he will be blinded by the Babylonians (2 Kgs. 25:7) and will never see his land again. The people also will be dragged away into exile.  
2. Ezekiel eats and drinks with fear, trembling, and shaking (vv. 17–18). This symbolizes what it will be like for those in Jerusalem during the siege (vv. 19–20). After the siege, Jerusalem will be destroyed. 

Two rebuttals then follow the dramas:  

1. The people have distilled a proverb, asserting that God’s prophecies are ineffective and that they won’t be fulfilled (vv. 21–25). God refutes their assertion: what He says will be done.  
2. The people (perhaps another group) assert that God’s prophecies concern the distant future (vv. 26–28). This thinking is understandable, given that many prophecies did concern a time beyond the people. But God refutes this statement: there will be no delay. 

So the siege and exile is a coming reality for the people in Jerusalem. God prophesies these events through His prophet. It will certainly happen and it will take place soon.

Reflection

We can be certain of God’s word; He will do what He says. Jesus teaches that God’s judgment is also coming (e.g. Matt. 24:36 – 25:46). We don’t know exactly when this will be but we need to live as if it is soon, making sure our lives are in order and warning others of this judgment.