Ezekiel 20:45-21:32

Today’s passage continues God’s pronouncement of judgment on His people.  It is presented in four prophecies, each more specific than the preceding.  They speak of the terrible third attack by Babylon on Jerusalem.

·        20:45-49: the FIRE of judgment.  The prophet used three different terms for “south” in v46, perhaps to emphasize the certainty of judgment on the southern extremity of Judah.  In judgment God will kindle a fire in the forests of the south.  Today the South (Negev) is relatively treeless, but apparently it was not so much so at the time.  Also notice the response of the obstinate people to the prophecy, that Ezekiel was just telling stories.

·        21:1-7: the SWORD of judgment.  The coming judgment will be pervasive, on the righteous and the wicked, from the south to the north.  All flesh will know that God had drawn His sword.  Ezekiel’s sighing is perhaps a way to get the people to take seriously the prophecy.

·        21:8-17: the SHARP SWORD of judgment.  The striking of the thigh (v13) is a sign of despair, again to encourage the people to take seriously what they regard as a parable.  The sharpened and polished sword will even strike the “scepter”, the horn of David.  In striking his hands together (v14) Ezekiel illustrates the certainty of the coming third and most destructive attack of Babylon on Jerusalem.  God beats His fists together (v17) as a picture of His fury.  All these gestures seek to get the attention of blind and deaf people.

·        21:18-32: the SWORD OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR in judgment.  Again, there is a powerful illustration in the hopes of waking up God’s people to the reality of judgment.  It is possible that this event actually happened, that God led Nebuchadnezzar through the methods he used to get direction.  His choice was whether to attack Rabbah of Ammon or Jerusalem of Judah.  In shaking the arrows two arrows were marked and then perhaps thrown down with one chosen.  The images he might consult would be small household gods.  To look at the liver he would examine the liver of an animal, filled with blood, looking for tell-tale markings.  In fact the God of Israel was orchestrating the entire situation.  The Ammonites would be judged later (v28-32).  But first Jerusalem and Judah.  In v27 Ezekiel says three times “overthrown” to indicate the certainty that the turban and crown of the Davidic king would be removed, never to be worn until He comes whose right it is.  This is a reference to the Messiah, reminiscent of the prophecy made in Gen. 49:10.  To this day there has not been a Davidic King on the throne in Jerusalem.  But someday there will be.  The Messiah, the greatest Son of David will wear the turban and crown.  God will give it to Him!

Jesus Christ is the hope of Israel, God’s Son who will rule from Zion (Ps. 2).  His future glorious appearing is our blessed hope as well (Titus 2:13).