[:en]SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 5
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Yet in her wickedness she has rebelled against my laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her. She has rejected my laws and has not followed by decrees” (Ezekiel 5:5-6)
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees oro kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you.l Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations. ” (Ezekiel 5:7-8)
There is again an action sermon of Ezekiel to the people of Israel. God told Ezekiel to take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave his head and beard. Then take a scale to divide up the hair and do as follows: burn a third of the hair with fire inside the city, take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city and scatter a third to the wind. Take a few strands of hair and tuck them away in the fold of your garment. Again, take a few of them and throw them into the fire and burn them up (vs. 1-6)
The hair represents the people of Jerusalem who will face 3 destinies: death by famine, death by the sword and dispersion among the nations (v. 12). But a believing remnant will be protected and saved by the Lord.
Why was angry with His people?
- They have rebelled against His laws and decrees more than the nations and countries around her (v. 6)
- They have worship detestable idols 9v. 9)
- They defiled God’s sanctuary with all the vile images and detestable practices (v. 11)
This is a warning to us to obey His laws and commands, to worship only the true God and to keep God’s temple holy. Our body is the temple of God. We should live a life worthy and pleasing to Him so that His name will be glorified.[:]