Day 244 Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 4-7

Ezekiel 4: Three Symbols of Judgement

[Content Overview]

This chapter contains a prophecy of the judgment of Jerusalem. To further communicate the coming judgment, the prophet lays siege to the city of Jerusalem, which he draws on a slab of stone (vv. 1-3), lies on one side at an angle to represent Israel's captivity (vv. 4-8), and eats small portions of food to represent the famine in Jerusalem (vv. 9-17). Through these visual representations, the prophet is trying to shake the people out of their apathy and callousness. As such, the prophet must proclaim God's message in a variety of ways. Ezekiel used drawing and crafting, abstinence from food, and lying on his right and left sides to proclaim God's will, and sometimes clapping his hands, stamping his feet, or reciting poetry. This shows that the prophet is an instrument to be used as God wishes.

Ezekiel 5: Discipline of the People of Judah

[Overview]

This chapter is Ezekiel's fourth act of prophecy and symbolizes the complete destruction of the nation of Judah by God's judgment. The references to fire, sword, and wind in particular show that God's judgment will be carried out with great severity. Ezekiel's dramatic visual performance is evident in this section, where the prophet, who has already effectively presented God's judgment through three theatrical acts in the previous section, announces Judah's downfall through symbolic actions: the shaving of the head shows the captivity of Judah; the burning of the hair shows the destruction of the glorious city through famine and disease; and the striking of the sword shows the capture and death of King Zedekiah and his subjects as they flee. This section is divided into three parts: the first half (vv. 1-4), which describes Ezekiel's allegorical action in judging Jerusalem; the middle (vv. 5-12), which explains why God will destroy Jerusalem; and the second half (vv. 13-17), which describes the tragic events that follow Jerusalem's destruction.

Ezekiel 6: Discipline for Idolatry

[Overview]

In this chapter, Ezekiel uses plain language to expose the idolatry that caused the judgment: Judah had built shrines and sacrificed and burned incense to idols throughout the land; they worshipped Asherah, Molech, and the New Moon God; they favored fortune tellers; and God declared that He would judge and purify Judah through war. The chapter is divided into three sections: the first half (vv. 1-7), which declares Israel's doom for worshipping idols; the middle (vv. 8-10), which reveals that the remnant of Israel will repent; and the second half (vv. 11-14), in which God commands Israel to mourn for the disaster. In particular, this chapter prophetically declares judgment on the mountainous regions and lands of Israel. This fact suggests that God's judgment on Judah tends to gradually spread from the central area, that is, Jerusalem, to the outer outskirts, and we can see that God will destroy the high places and idols throughout Israel.

Ezekiel Chapter 7: Impending Disaster

[Content Overview]

This chapter records the cause of the impending end, the form of judgment, and the results of judgment. Additionally, this chapter uses many repetitive words and phrases to emphasize the imminence and certainty of judgment. The word 'end' is used six times, the word 'coming' seven times, and the expression 'now' twice. This chapter consists of the first half (verses 1-13), which describes the imminence and comprehensiveness of judgment, and the second half (verses 14-27), which describes the results of judgment. God is patient with sin, but it is shown once again that he judges those who do not turn away.