Ezekiel Chapter 12 Lecture

Chapter 12

Ezekiel 12:1-2(16): A Rebellious House

There’s a common phrase in these verses that refer to Israel—Rebellious House. By this time, God saw Israel as a nation in revolt against Him. The word revolt is a political term, meaning a practice of defying a governmental authority, perhaps including an attempt to overthrow the authority. A reference to Israel as the “rebellious house” is made 4 times in these 16 verses. This status of revolting is the reason for their behavior and therefore, their judgment.

Vs. 1-2 opens up with an accusation concerning the nation of Israel. They are rebellious. Yet, what does a rebellious nation look like? Ezekiel responds, “They have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear.” Spence writes,

ALL MEN HAVE ORGANS FOR PERCEIVING SPIRITUAL TRUTH. These blind Jews have eyes and the deaf have ears. Neither class is deformed or mutilated in respect of their organs of sense. Here is the paradox, the surprising situation. It is men with eyes and ears who are blind and deaf. It is no wonder that the lower animals should live without man’s religion in a life of brutish appetite. But it is surprising that beings endowed with higher faculties should degrade themselves to such a life. That this is the case with the most hardened and ignorant may be proved by the experience of life. 1. The most brutalized sinner was once a child. Then he had the child’s wondering, open-eyed vision of truth. 2. The most degraded have been restored. Then the faculty of spiritual perception has been reawakened. This proves that it was only dormant, not absent. 3. Even in a condition of indifference a degraded, deadened soul may be aroused. The bow drawn at a venture may send an arrow into a joint of the armour of worldly thought and find the natural sensitiveness beneath. (Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Ezekiel (Vol. 1, p. 215). Funk & Wagnalls Company.)

This homily informs us of a true reality—Israel had the ability to hear and see, yet they did not hear and see. This is a peculiar scenario given to that elect nation that was given the revelation of God only to deny it and assume a more deprived state. This theme would be a continual theme in the preaching of Jesus Christ and the apocalyptic writers who continually warned Israel, “he that has an ear, let him hear.”

Matthew 11:15 CSB

15 Let anyone who has ears listen.

Mark 4:23 CSB

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

Revelation 2:29 CSB

29 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

What’s probably more phenomenal in this text is that they are unrighteous and yet God still gives them the chance to hear and see. They deny it. While beggars pleaded to see and hear, they neither asked or pleaded and were denied the offering of God to see and hear (Consider Matthew 13:16-17).

Practical Point: It is not that those who are rebellious are incapable of hearing or seeing, because they have the faculties to do so. Furthermore, God accepts this ability and yet speaks through those prophets that are sent. For, God would only be mocking Himself if He were to send voices to those who cannot hear and demonstrations to those who cannot see. Rather, they have chosen not to do so and are therefore judged for it. Here is an example of God’s mercy towards man. As a gift to man, God speaks to those He knows won’t listen. He send demonstrations to those He knows will turn away. The constant denial of man is a continual declaration of God’s mercy and goodness.

Ezekiel 12:3-7: The Exile Dramatized

God instructs Ezekiel to get a bag. This bag was a common item in the home of those who were exiled. Therefore, when individuals saw Ezekiel with this bag, they would have known that this was a demonstration of things related to exile.

There are _ things that should be noticed in this drama:

The bags are to be prepared and carried out during the day for public observation (vs. 3-4).

Drill through the wall (vs.5).

This particular instruction has caused a great deal of confusion for scholars, because the instructions show that Ezekiel, who is entering exile, is drilling a wall. Such things would have been common for those who are trying to escape exile, rather than entering it. Some have argued that this is a demonstration of what the Babylonians will do in an attempt to enter the fortified city of Jerusalem.

Leave your home with your bags and face covered (vs. 6-7).

Ezekiel 12:8-16: The Meaning of the Drama

The demonstration that Ezekiel gives was given without an explanation. The people were struck by the demonstrative depiction of what was obviously a sign of exile. However, they were without any understanding of what it meant, since it was done in silence. It was not until God gave Ezekiel the command to speak, that He spoke.

The passages provides great clarity to the period in which this message is given. Though the exile had begun, the King of Jerusalem had not been exiled yet. The reference to the prince in Jersualem is a reference to Zedekiah. Since he was not exiled until 586 BC, we know that this prophecy was given before then. Some estimate that this prophecy was given between 592 and 591 BC. The things Ezekiel did were a sign to Zedekiah, directly and Israel indirectly. We say Israel indirectly, because it is a message of what Israel will become without her king!

Remember what a king meant to Israel. Think about the days of Samuel and the nation’s insistence that they receive a king like all the other nations, despite the tragic repercussions of such a monarchal structure. In a monarchal structure such as the one Israel possessed, to lose a king to exile was a sign of total doom. Their security and means of protection was overthrown and it is a sign that what was a sign of any hope is surely condensed to nothing.

Vs. 11, Ezekiel says, “I am a sign for you. Just as I have done, it will be done to [them]; [they] will go into exile, into captivity.”

Though the message is a sign for Zedekiah it is also a message to Israel who will experience the same things. The specific nature of this prophecy to Zedekiah is obvious in vs. 12-13 and the consequential impact upon Israel is seen in vs. 14-16. What Ezekiel described was carried out historically in 2 Kings 25:1-21. In vs. 1-10 we find what is regarding Zedekiah. In vs. 11-21 we find what is regarding the people of Judah.

Ultimately, there is a point to all of these things. God will use these judgments to heighten his reputation among the nations (vs. 15-16). This is proof that God is glorified in man’s salvation and condemnation.

Ezekiel 12:17-20: Anxiety Dramatized

The diet that is prescribed in vs. 18 is something we should be particularly conscience of. It is bread and water, which is indicative of exile food. The emphasis might naturally be placed on the way that Ezekiel is eating. However, what he is eating is worthy of just as much attention. As hinted at before, there is a reference towards the relevance of the nation of Israel. This reference is more direct in these verses. Literally, Israel will eat and drink in fear.

Anxiety is a vague unpleasant emotion akin to worry that is experienced in anticipation of some usually ill-defined misfortune.

For the same reason Zedekiah was to face his punishment, Israel would have its land taken and destroyed.

Ezekiel 12:21-28: The Proverb

The proverb in Ezekiel’s prophecy reflects the casual disregard the nation of Israel had towards God’s warnings. This trait is not unique to the nation of Israel, however. Since the beginning mankind has ignored the very serious warnings of God.

Noah and the Flood

Sodom and Gomorrah

Egypt

Now, if we allow our reading to be paralleled to these cases and further related to those that are found after the current passage of consideration, we will find that not much changes. Jesus and His messengers are yet reminding Israel of the imminence of God’s judgment. In fact, the very gospel that is given is one of imminent proclamation.

Matthew 3:2 CSB

2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”

Luke 12:42–46 CSB

42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

Matthew 24:45–51 CSB

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2 Peter 3:1–9 CSB

1 Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere understanding by way of reminder, 2 so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. 3 Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, 4 saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” 5 They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water. 6 Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. 7 By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

There’s a very clear parallel here: The world, particularly the nation of Israel (for the intent of the narrative), often forgets the words of the prophets and consider it a prolonged prophecy for some other group. However, the nation of Israel was warned that now is the time for all the things that were previously declared.

This reality is the precursor to everything else Ezekiel will say moving forward in Ezekiel 13-14:11.

Practical Message

Many will look at all we have read so far and become critically disinterested and disturbed by the warnings of and dramatic nature in which Ezekiel prophesies. However, the message here is God’s longsuffering and compassion for Israel. However, the point reveals the nature of God. The question we should ask from our reading is: Why did God wait? Why didn’t God just judge them immediately? Why does God not judge us immediately? Why doesn’t He just swiftly execute punishment and consequence? The answer is all over the Bible, but most clear in 2 Peter 3:9.

2 Peter 3:9 CSB

9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

In fact, Ezekiel will make this point more clear as we will see

Ezekiel 18:23 CSB

23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?