SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 12
THE EXILE SYMBOLIZED (vs.1-28)
The Lord told Ezekiel to do this:
“Pack your belongings for exile and set out to go to another place. During the daytime, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. Put them on your shoulder and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel:” (vs. 3-6). Ezekiel did everything what was commanded by the Lord.
In the morning, the Lord told Ezekiel that when the rebellious house of Israel asked him what he is doing say to them: The Sovereign Lord says that this oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel who will be going into exile as captives. The prince will be brought to Babylonia and die there. All his staff and troops will be scattered and pursued by sword. But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go, they may acknowledge all their detestable things and know that I am the Lord. (vs. vs. 8-16)
The Lord told Ezekiel to tremble as he ate his food and shudder in fear as he drink his water. This symbolizes that those living in Jerusalem and land of Israel will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord. (v. 17-20)
The Lord promises to fulfill everything he had said and none of his words will be delayed any longer.
THOUGHTS
When people become spiritually blind and dumb, God uses unusual means to get His Word to them. Ezekiel preached two more action sermons to warn them that judgment is coming. His actions in the morning portrayed the people who were packing to go into captivity while his actions in the evening portrayed the futile attempt of King Zedekiah to escape. Ezekiel’s actions at his meals portrayed the terror the people would experience even though the false prophets said otherwise. But God’s word was fulfilled in due time.