Monday, February 17 – Ezekiel 4, 5

1. Describe in your own words the condition of those who remained in Jerusalem after the captivity. (Lamentations 5:8-15)

2. Where did Ezekiel have his first vision? (Ezekiel 1:1)

In Ezekiel 4 and 5, God commands the young prophet of the exile to present four illustrated and dramatized messages. The purpose of these messages was to confirm the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem to the exiles. Let us remember that Ezekiel was taken to Babylon during the first exile. Regarding the purpose of these messages, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states:

“The captives hoped that Jerusalem had suffered her last siege. Encouraged by false prophets, they expected soon to return to their native land. If they received Ezekiel’s prediction of another siege, that would dash their fond hopes. Nevertheless, the doom upon their beloved city was inevitable. The impending judgments were portrayed before the people in significant emblems that spoke with greater force and efficacy than words.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Ezekiel 4:2)
These are the illustrated messages:

1. Ezekiel was to create a model of Jerusalem on a clay brick. He was to illustrate the siege and the encampment of armies against it. The “battering rams” were large wooden stakes with metal tips to strike a city’s walls.

2. He was commanded to lie bound on his left side first and then on his right for a specific period of time for each side. He was told to set his face toward the siege of Jerusalem and, with his free arm, prophesy against it.

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states:

“It is not necessary to infer that Ezekiel lay continuously 24 hours a day, during the long period here specified. Probably only a certain portion of the day was devoted to this form of symbolic preaching.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Ezekiel 4:4)

Regarding the representation of a day for a year, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary explains:

“This expression may be compared with a similar statement in Num. 14:34, “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years.” In these statements are found the first intimations of the prophetic scale which later was to figure so largely in the interpretation of the great time prophecies, such as the “time and times and the dividing of time” (Dan. 7:25), and the “two thousand and three hundred days” (Dan. 8:14).” (SDA Bible Commentary, Ezekiel 4:6)

3. He was to gather a mixture of grains in a vessel to make bread. This bread would not be appetizing. He was to eat the equivalent of 10–12 ounces per day. He was also to drink water in a minimal measure. This was a small portion. The message conveyed was how terrible the siege of the city would be.

4. He was to take a sword like a razor to cut his hair.

“Ezekiel is instructed to perform a forbidden act as a symbolic representation. It was unlawful for the priest to shave either his head or his beard (Lev. 21:5).” (SDA Bible Commentary, Ezekiel 5:1)

The three equal portions of hair represented the people. The scales represented God’s judgment. One-third of the hair was burned in the city model on the brick, symbolizing that a third of the city’s people would die from famine and disease. The second part was scattered around the model and then cut with a sword, symbolizing the slaughter of many in battle during the siege. The third part was cast into the wind, symbolizing those captive to Babylon or dispersed among the nations. The enemy would ruthlessly kill many who tried to flee the city.

In a symbolic act of hope, he collected scattered hairs and placed them in his clothing, indicating that a remnant would be saved. However, even some of these would perish.

The vividly illustrated message to the exiles was unpopular but consistent with the Lord’s message through other servants. God sends the same message repeatedly through different people or methods. He wants to ensure that it is received. He has not changed His approach; He is doing the same today. He sends the same message through different instruments and presents it in different ways. His purpose is for it to reach people and be understood. Even if its fulfillment seems delayed or forgotten, His Word is firm and will come to pass.

May God help us to keep our trust in His Word. Nations rise and fall with their rulers, but His Word remains. May He bless you today.