July 21, 2023 - Ezekiel 4-6

Eventually, Ezekiel was taken into exile by the Babylonians. But these chapters precede that time and the fall of Jerusalem. That is, Ezekiel lived both in Judah and in the Babylonian exile. His prophecies, here, so much recall those of Jeremiah, as one might expect; after all, Jeremiah pointed to these events and, now, Ezekiel does so before he eventually goes into exile.

Ezekiel, as much as any other prophet, used what some refer to as “street theater,” or the acting out of events, to portray what will take place. A brick and an iron griddle representing Jerusalem with the prophet lying beside. Baking over an unclean dung fire. A razor to shave his head and beard. A sword. When the prophet’s words come to pass, the Lord declares, “And they shall know that I am the Lord” (6:10). Make no mistake, God will have his way, and he will be known both by those who love him and even those who reject him. Sort of recalls the words of Paul, doesn’t it? “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious:

see the Man of Sorrows now;

from the fight returned victorious,

ev’ry knee to Him shall bow.

Crown Him! Crown Him!

Crowns become the Victor’s brow. -- Thomas Kelly (1809)