THOUGHTS ON EZEKIEL 4
UNREPENTANT SINS HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES
KEY VERSES
“Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side.
Ezekiel 4:2
Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her.
I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.
Ezekiel 4:7-8
Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.”
Ezekiel 4:12
Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.” “Very well,” HE said, “I will let you bake your bread over cow dung instead of human excrement.”
HE then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair,
for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of their sin.
Ezekiel 4:14-17
GOD hates sin anywhere; whether in unbelievers or in HIS children. Though HE is a merciful and loving GOD, there are always consequences to sin.
While this chapter addresses historical events in context, it offers timeless lessons to today’s church. These include:
1. The seriousness of sin and its consequences
In this chapter, to drive home more dramatically the consequences the sins of the children of Israel would bring upon themselves if they don’t repent, GOD had to make Ezekiel express it in a very unconventional but impactful way. Where words seem to not make much impact, maybe actions would. Even in this, we can see a loving GOD using every means possible to get the attention of his people.
For what purpose? So that HE can lead his people to repentance. Maybe if they see what will happen to them, they will repent.
2. The authenticity of being a believer.
We notice that Ezekiel did not only speak the word but was willing to do all that is needed to, even passing through personal excruciating inconveniences, ridicule and breaking out of tradition, if only it would open the eyes of the people to their condition. To what extent are we willing to lead souls to CHRIST? The work of GOD is not by convenience but as commanded by the LORD. Can GOD rely on us to do whatever it takes to open the eyes of the people to their situation?
3. Guidance for believers
When divine instructions appear to go against our religious beliefs and tradition, it is okay to go back to GOD & seek a better understanding. For Eg, when GOD instructed Ezekiel to use human dried faeces to bake bread, Ezekiel appealed against that because it went against his tradition.
Remember, too, Apostle Peter’s response to a vision to arise and eat what his religious belief termed ‘unclean food’.
Take Away
1. Unrepentant sin had dire consequences
2. The work of GOD is not by convenience but as commanded by GOD.
Prayer Point
LORD grant me grace to uphold your ways in my life, at all times
THOUGHTS ON EZEKIEL 5.
THEME: God’s Impending Judgment and Destruction of Jerusalem and the Nation of Israel Due to Their Disobedience and Idolatry.
This is a prophecy of God’s judgment upon Jerusalem and Israel symbolized by Ezekiel shaving his head and dividing his hair into three parts representing the fates of plague, sword and exile and the scattering of the people. Verses 1-4.
A MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWN:
PROPHETIC SIGN: Ezekiel is commanded by God to shave his head and beard, dividing his hair into three portions representing the three destinies that would befall Jerusalem and the people of Israel.
DESTINIES:
– One-third; Burned in the fire within the city in the siege.
– One-third:Slain by the sword around the city.
– One-third: Scattered to the wind, dispersed among the nations.
GOD’S JUDGMENT:God declares that He will execute judgment on Jerusalem and Israel because of their rebellion and defilement of His sanctuary. Verses 6-17.
REMNANT: Ezekiel is instructed to take a small number of his hairs and bind them in his skirt symbolizing the remnant that God will preserve. Verse 3.
CAUSE OF JUDGMENT: The chapter highlights that the judgment is a result of Jerusalem’s sin and contempt for God’s law and profaning His sanctuary. Verses 6-11.
GOD’S PROMISE: God promises that the nations will know that He is the LORD when He executes judgment on Jerusalem and Israel. Verses 15-17.
LESSON
People of God, knowing that our God is a jealous God who has a zero tolerance for sin; let us beware so that we do not provoke Him to act against the objects of His love!
