Ezekiel 5
-More of Jerusalem’s desolation and trauma is foretold by
God through Ezekiel the prophet in chapter five. The LORD commands His prophet
to take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor upon his head and beard.
He was instructed to take this hair that was cut from his body and divide it
into three distinct areas. One third was to be burned at the center of the city
when the days of the siege in Jerusalem are completed. One third was to be
struck with the sword all around the city, and the last third was to be
scattered to the wind. The LORD says He will unsheathe a sword behind them as
well. Ezekiel was further instructed to take a few of the hairs and bind them
to the edges of his robes. A few other hairs were to be thrown into the fire
and burned for a fire that will spread to all the house of Israel (Ezekiel
5:1-5).
-Thus says the LORD God, “This is Jerusalem; I have set her
at the center of the nations, with lands all around her. But she has rebelled
against My ordinances more wickedly than the nations and against My statutes
more than the lands which surround her; for they have rejected My ordinances
and have not walked in my statutes (Ezekiel 5:5-6).” Because of these crimes
against His Person and will, their God is angry with them and promises to
execute judgments among His people. They have committed atrocious abominations,
which will bring an unimaginable and unrepeated catastrophe in their midst
where their fathers will be eating their sons and the sons their fathers in
barbaric cannibalism. As the LORD lives He will withdraw from them for the
defilement of His holy sanctuary with detestable idols and all their
abominations. His eyes will have no pity, and He will not spare during this
time of severe chastening. One third of them will die by plague or be consumed
by famine. One third will fall by the sword in violence from the enemy. And one
third will be scattered to the wind with God’s sword of vengeance unsheathed
behind them (Ezekiel 5:7-12).
-Thus the LORD’s anger will be spent and His wrath satisfied
on an obstinate, rebellious people who were stubborn in their heart’s desire to
follow Him exclusively even though they had promised at Sinai, and at other
times, to do so (Exodus 19:8; 24:3,7, Joshua 24:23-24, 1 Kings 8, 2 Kings
11:17-20, 1 Chronicles 16:36). They will definitely know that the LORD has
spoken in His zeal (qinah-passion, ardour,
jealousy, fervor) to carry out His ire. Jerusalem and the surrounding areas
will become a desolation and a reproach among the nations which surround in the
sight of all who come through the region. This reproach, reviling, warning,
object of horror, intense famine, attack by wild beasts, plague, childlessness,
and bloodshed among His people who have transgressed His ways will display the
power of God as a testimony to all the nations (Ezekiel 5:13-17).
-*Application* Our God is jealous for our sincere devotion,
sanctification, and holiness. When we breach this consecration of our soul,
God’s just discipline can be utterly severe. Listen to His teachings and
warnings. It will save you from disaster. Think and apply His wisdom to every
situation. Cling to Him and don’t be a deserter. Hold fast the truth and don’t
sway away from it. Don’t incite the LORD’s anger upon yourself.
Verse to Memorize:
Ezekiel 5:11
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