Book of Ezekiel: Chapter 12
At the end of chapter 11, Ezekiel is returned to Babylon. Here he delivers a new message that God has for the people. The new message he delivers demonstrates the exile of the last king of Judah.
God instructs Ezekiel to perform his next message. He tells Ezekiel to gather his belongings (as much as an exile would carry) and leave his home and to cover his face as he leaves. God tells Ezekiel to do this in the view of everyone.
The demonstration is a way for God to show the people that King Zedekiah will be exiled by the Babylonians. The way Ezekiel leaves his home, with his only belongings on his back, will be the same way the fallen king will leave Israel. God’s instructions to hide his face while leaving also demonstrates how King Zedekiah will not see his homeland nor his exiled land, due to being blinded by his enemies.
Chapter 12 ends with God proclaiming, through Ezekiel, that his words would come true. At this time, the Israelites had a cynical proverb. This proverb diminished God’s glory by claiming his words would only come true in the far future. Angered at this, God made sure to reinforce to the Israelites that his word will come true and come true soon.
Key Verse:
“For I am the Lord!If I say it, it will happen.” ~ Ezekiel 12:25
Questions to ponder:
- Why would the Israelites believe that God’s word and prophecies wouldn’t apply to them?
- In what ways does ignoring God’s word diminish his glory?
