Day 248 Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 18-20

Ezekiel 18: Individual Judgment of Sinners

[Overview]

This chapter emphasizes the gravity of the responsibility of each individual Israelite and also calls for repentance. In other words, it clearly states that the current captivity of the Israelites is due to the sins of each individual Israelite and holds them accountable. This chapter, which contains such content, consists of the section that clarifies that the person responsible for sin bears the responsibility, but that it has nothing to do with saving the son (verses 1-13), the section that describes that even if the father commits evil, the son can live if he does righteousness (verses 14-20), the section that clarifies that if one repents, the responsibility for sin is eliminated, but if one does not live a righteous life now, even a righteous life in the past cannot be a condition for salvation (verses 21-29), and the section that urges repentance (verses 30-32).

Ezekiel 19: Lamentations for the Princes

[Overview]

This chapter points out the fundamental sins of the kings of Israel in the form of lamentations. If the previous chapter points out the sins of each Israelite, this chapter metaphorically describes the sins of the upper class of Israel, that is, the leaders. In particular, symbolism is prominent in this chapter. The author likens the royal family of David to a lioness and the kings to young lions. In the same way, the royal family of David is likened to a vine and the kings to branches. These expressions realistically show the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. This chapter, which contains such content, consists of the first half (verses 1-4) metaphorically describing the fact that King Jehoahaz was taken captive to Egypt, the middle half (verses 5-9) metaphorically describing the fact that King Jehoiachin was taken captive to Babylon, and the second half (verses 10-14) introducing lamentations about the fact that Zedekiah was taken captive.  In the end, the author urges the living to look back on their lives through the death of the kings of Judah and warns them not to have vain hopes for peace.

Ezekiel 20: Israel's Rebellion

[Overview]

This chapter deeply describes the history of Israel's disobedience, and by broadly describing the history of Israel's crimes from the time of Abraham, it describes the background of Israel's current situation. In doing so, the author reveals that the history of Israel's rebellion and the history of God's constant mercy are progressing in contrast. This chapter approaches the history of Israel from the perspective of covenant theology. Ezekiel develops the story centered on the most important events of the past, the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant. This is because these two covenants are the core axes of Israel's entire history and are the content of the traditions and confessions of faith of the Israelites. It shows that God protects the people centered on the covenant made with their ancestors and works against their continued rebellion and apostasy.  This chapter is divided into sections dealing with Israel's disobedience in Egypt (verses 1-9), Israel's disobedience in the wilderness (verses 10-26), disobedience in the land of Canaan (verses 27-29), Israel's disobedience in the time of Ezekiel (verses 30-44), and the section prophesying that fire would be sent to the south (verses 45-49).