Verses 1-4
In these verses, God instructs Ezekiel to act out a prophetic sign of the impending exile of the people of Israel. Ezekiel is to pack his belongings and leave his house, as if he were going into exile. He is to do this in broad daylight, in the sight of the people, as a symbol of the fact that their sin and rebellion have been exposed and that judgment is coming. One insight that can be drawn from this passage is the importance of prophetic signs in the biblical tradition. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets frequently used visual and symbolic acts to communicate their message to the people. These signs were intended to provoke a response, to draw attention to the seriousness of the situation, and to offer a vivid representation of God’s message. In this case, Ezekiel’s act of leaving his house and packing his belongings was meant to convey the gravity of the situation and to warn the people of the impending judgment.
Another insight that can be gleaned from this passage is the fact that sin has consequences. The people of Israel had rebelled against God and had persistently ignored the warnings of the prophets. As a result, judgment was coming in the form of exile and captivity. This passage reminds us that sin always has consequences, both in this life and in the next. It also highlights the importance of repentance and turning back to God before it is too late.In addition to these insights, there are a number of other elements in this passage that are worth noting. For example, the fact that Ezekiel is to perform this act in broad daylight suggests that the judgment of God is not hidden or secret, but is being openly displayed for all to see. The fact that he is to pack his belongings also underscores the fact that the people of Israel will be leaving their homes and possessions behind when they go into exile.
Verses 5-8
Verse 5: “Dig through the wall in their sight and carry your belongings out through it.”
In this verse, God commands Ezekiel to perform a symbolic act of digging through the wall in front of the people and carrying his belongings out through it. This act was to represent the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. Through this act, God was showing the people that they would soon be forced to flee their homes and leave behind their possessions as they were exiled to Babylon.
This verse reminds us that God often uses symbolic acts to communicate his message to his people. As believers, we should seek to understand the symbolic acts and messages that God uses to communicate with us.
Verse 6: “In full view of the people, put the pack on your shoulders and carry it out in the dark. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”
In this verse, God commands Ezekiel to perform another symbolic act. He is to put a pack on his shoulders and carry it out in the dark, while covering his face so he cannot see the land. This act represents the coming exile of the people and their journey through the wilderness. This verse teaches us that God often uses difficult circumstances to refine and strengthen us. Just as the Israelites were forced to journey through the wilderness, we too may face challenging times in our lives. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us and will help us through those difficult times.
Verse 7: “So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at night and carried them on my shoulders in their sight.”
In this verse, Ezekiel obeys God’s command and performs the symbolic act of carrying his belongings out through the wall at night. By doing so, he is demonstrating the coming exile of the people and the difficult journey they will soon face.This verse teaches us the importance of obedience to God’s commands, even when they may seem difficult or unconventional. When we obey God, we demonstrate our trust in Him and His plan for our lives.
Verse 8: “In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, “What are you doing?”‘”
In this verse, God speaks to Ezekiel and reminds him that the rebellious Israelites have asked him what he is doing. This is a reminder of the people’s disobedience and their unwillingness to listen to the warnings of the prophets.
This verse teaches us the importance of listening to God’s warnings and obeying His commands. When we disobey God, we not only bring harm upon ourselves, but we also miss out on the blessings that come with obedience. As believers, we must strive to obey God’s commands and live according to His will.
In these verses, the Lord instructs Ezekiel to take his belongings and leave his house, as if he were going into exile. He is to dig through the wall of his house and carry his belongings on his shoulders, covering his face so that he cannot see the land he is leaving behind. The Lord tells Ezekiel that this is a sign for the people of Israel, who will also go into exile.
The Lord is using Ezekiel as a living parable to show the people of Israel the severity of their situation. By having Ezekiel act out the experience of going into exile, the people can see the consequences of their disobedience and understand the seriousness of their sin.
This also serves as a warning to the people who are still living in Jerusalem. They may think that they are safe from the coming judgment because they are still in the city, but the Lord is showing them that they too will be taken into exile if they do not repent.
It’s interesting to note that the Lord specifically instructs Ezekiel to cover his face as he carries his belongings. This may symbolize the shame that the people of Israel will feel as they are carried off into exile, or it may represent the fact that they will not be able to see the land they are leaving behind. Either way, it serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of their sin.
As Christians, we can also learn from this passage. We too are called to live in obedience to God’s commands, and when we disobey, there are consequences to our actions. Just as the people of Israel faced judgment for their sin, we too will face the consequences of our disobedience if we do not repent and turn back to God.
Furthermore, this passage reminds us that God often uses visual aids and parables to communicate his message. We can see this throughout the Bible, from the parables that Jesus told to the symbolic actions that the prophets were called to perform. These visual aids help us to better understand the message that God is trying to convey and can serve as powerful reminders of his love and his desire for us to turn back to him.
In summary, Ezekiel 12:5-8 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of living in obedience to God’s commands. It also reminds us of the power of visual aids and parables in communicating God’s message to his people.
Verses 9-15
In these verses, the Lord speaks to Ezekiel and instructs him to prophesy against the rebellious house of Israel. The Lord tells Ezekiel to say, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there” (verse 10). The Lord goes on to describe how the prince and the people will be taken into exile, with the prince himself carrying his belongings on his shoulder and leaving the city under cover of darkness.
The Lord explains that this is a sign for the people, a physical representation of what will happen to them because of their disobedience. They will be scattered among the nations, their possessions will be taken from them, and they will become a byword and a reproach.
What is interesting about these verses is the way in which the Lord uses Ezekiel to demonstrate His message. The Lord has already shown Ezekiel various signs and visions, and now He is using him to physically act out the coming judgment against Israel. This is not the first
time the Lord has used prophets to act out His message. For example, in Isaiah 20, the Lord tells Isaiah to walk around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia.It is also worth noting the symbolism of the prince carrying his belongings on his shoulder. This is reminiscent of the Israelites leaving Egypt, where they were instructed to eat the Passover with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in their hand (Exodus 12:11). It is a sign of being ready to depart at a moment’s notice, of being prepared to follow the Lord’s instructions no matter where they may lead.
Overall, these verses demonstrate the Lord’s sovereignty and His commitment to bringing judgment on those who rebel against Him. They also show the importance of obedience and being prepared to follow the Lord’s commands, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable they may seem.
Verses 16-20
Ezekiel Chapter 12:16-20 focuses on the judgment of Israel and the impending destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to prophesy to the people of Israel about the exile and judgment that is coming. In these verses, we see a continuation of the prophecy that began in the previous verses.
The first thing that we notice in these verses is that the judgment of God is inescapable. The people of Israel had been warned time and time again about the consequences of their disobedience and rebellion against God, but they had refused to listen. Now, the judgment that they had been warned about was about to come upon them, and there was nothing that they could do to escape it.
God had been patient with the people of Israel, but now their time of judgment had come. They had ignored the prophets that God had sent to warn them, and they had continued in their wickedness and rebellion. As a result, God was going to bring judgment upon them, and there was nothing that they could do to stop it.
In these verses, we also see the seriousness of sin and disobedience. The people of Israel had sinned against God, and their sin had consequences. Their sin had brought them to the point of judgment, and there was nothing that they could do to change that. This should serve as a warning to us today that sin has consequences and that we must take it seriously.
However, in the midst of the judgment, there is also a message of hope. Even though the people of Israel were going to be exiled and Jerusalem was going to be destroyed, God was still with them. He had not abandoned them, and He would eventually restore them to their land. This is a reminder that even in the midst of the darkest times, God is still with us and that there is always hope. As Christians, we can also see a message of redemption in these verses. The people of Israel were going to be judged for their sin, but God was still going to be faithful to His covenant with them. He would eventually restore them to their land and bring about their redemption. In the same way, even though we are sinners and deserve judgment, God has provided a way for us to be redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ.
Finally, these verses also remind us of the sovereignty of God. The judgment that was coming upon the people of Israel was not random or accidental. It was part of God’s plan and purpose for them. This is a reminder that God is in control of all things and that nothing happens outside of His sovereign will.
Verses 20-28
Ezekiel chapter 12 verses 21-28 are a continuation of the message that God gave to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Israelites. In these verses, God speaks to Ezekiel about the doubts and questions that the people have regarding the fulfillment of His prophecies.
Verse 21 begins with God telling Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel, saying, “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.” In other words, the time of the fulfillment of God’s prophecies is near. This is a warning to the people that they should not doubt the prophecies that God has given to Ezekiel.
In verse 22, the people ask Ezekiel, “Has not the vision he sees been delayed? The days go by, and every vision fails.” The people are questioning the accuracy of Ezekiel’s prophecies because they have not yet come to pass. They believe that the visions are delayed, and that they will not come true.
God responds to the people’s doubts in verse 23, saying, “Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, ‘The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.'” God is saying that the people’s doubts and questions are unfounded. He will put an end to the proverb that the people are using to question the accuracy of the prophecies. The time of the fulfillment of the prophecies is near, and they will come to pass.
In verses 24-25, God gives Ezekiel a specific example of what will happen to the king of Babylon, who was used as an instrument of God’s judgment against the Israelites. God says, “For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”
God is saying that the false prophets and diviners who have misled the people of Israel will no longer be heard. He is the only one who speaks the truth, and His words will be fulfilled. The prophecies will not be delayed any longer, but will come to pass in the days of the rebellious house of Israel.
In verses 26-28, God tells Ezekiel to prepare himself for a difficult task. He says, “Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, “The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.”
Therefore say to them, “Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”‘”
God is telling Ezekiel that the people of Israel will continue to doubt the prophecies, even after He has assured them that they will come to pass. Ezekiel will have to bear the burden of their skepticism and continue to prophesy the word of the Lord. God is also reminding Ezekiel that His word will be fulfilled, and that none of His words will be delayed any longer.
As Christians, we can learn several important lessons from these verses. First, we should trust in God’s promises, even if they have not yet come to pass. We should not doubt God’s word, even if it seems delayed or far off. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God’s timing may not always match our own, but we can trust that His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
Second, we should be wary of false prophets and diviners who claim to speak for God but are not speaking the truth. In Matthew 24:24, Jesus warns us, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” We should test everything against the truth of God’s word, and not be led astray by false teachings.
Finally, we should be prepared to bear the burden of skepticism and doubt from those around us as we continue to proclaim God’s truth. In 2 Timothy 4:2-3, we read, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
In conclusion, Ezekiel chapter 12 verses 21-28 remind us of the importance of trusting in God’s promises, being wary of false teachings, and continuing to proclaim God’s truth even in the face of skepticism and doubt. As we seek to follow God’s will and purpose for our lives, may we be strengthened and encouraged by these words of prophecy and hope.