1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop [thy word] toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
3 And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I [am] against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.
4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
5 That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.
6 Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of [thy] loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.
7 And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak [as] water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
8 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, [as] every tree.
11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it [shall be] upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon [thy] thigh.
13 Because [it is] a trial, and what if [the sword] contemn even the rod? it shall be no [more], saith the Lord GOD.
14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite [thine] hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it [is] the sword of the great [men that are] slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that [their] heart may faint, and [their] ruins be multiplied: ah! [it is] made bright, [it is] wrapped up for the slaughter.
16 Go thee one way or other, [either] on the right hand, [or] on the left, whithersoever thy face [is] set.
17 I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said [it].
18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose [it] at the head of the way to the city.
20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made [his] arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint [battering] rams against the gates, to cast a mount, [and] to build a fort.
23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, [I say], that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity [shall have] an end,
26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this [shall] not [be] the same: exalt [him that is] low, and abase [him that is] high.
27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no [more], until he come whose right it is; and I will give it [him].
28 And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword [is] drawn: for the slaughter [it is] furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of [them that are] slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity [shall have] an end.
30 Shall I cause [it] to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
31 And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, [and] skilful to destroy.
32 Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no [more] remembered: for I the LORD have spoken [it].
Overview of Ezekiel Chapter 21
Ezekiel Chapter 21 is a prophetic message delivered by the prophet Ezekiel, focusing on the impending judgment against Jerusalem and the people of Israel. The chapter emphasizes the themes of divine retribution, the sovereignty of God, and the inevitability of judgment. It serves as a warning to the people about the consequences of their actions and the seriousness of their rebellion against God.
Key Themes
- Divine Judgment: The chapter illustrates God’s judgment upon Jerusalem, highlighting the seriousness of sin and disobedience.
- Symbolism of the Sword: The sword is a central symbol in this chapter, representing destruction and the execution of God’s judgment.
- God’s Sovereignty: The text emphasizes that God is in control of history and nations, demonstrating His authority over all events.
- Call to Repentance: Implicit in the warning is a call for the people to turn back to God and seek His mercy.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-7: The proclamation of judgment against Jerusalem is introduced, with Ezekiel receiving a command to prophesy.
- Verses 8-17: The imagery of the sword is elaborated, detailing its purpose and the devastation it will bring.
- Verses 18-27: The chapter shifts to the fate of the Ammonites, indicating that judgment will also come upon neighboring nations.
- Verses 28-32: The chapter concludes with a focus on the fate of the king of Judah, symbolizing the downfall of leadership due to disobedience.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-7: The Call to Prophesy
The chapter opens with God instructing Ezekiel to prophesy against the land of Israel. The urgency of the message is conveyed through the command to “set your face toward Jerusalem.” This sets the tone for the entire chapter, indicating that the focus is on the impending judgment that will befall the city due to its wickedness.
Verses 8-17: The Symbolism of the Sword
In these verses, the sword is depicted as a tool of divine judgment. Ezekiel is commanded to sharpen the sword, symbolizing the preparation for the execution of God’s wrath. The vivid imagery of the sword cutting through the people serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions. The repetition of phrases emphasizes the certainty and severity of the coming destruction.
Verses 18-27: Judgment on the Ammonites
This section broadens the scope of judgment to include the Ammonites, illustrating that God’s judgment is not limited to Israel alone but extends to surrounding nations that have acted against His will. The mention of the Ammonites serves to highlight the universal nature of God’s sovereignty and justice.
Verses 28-32: The Fate of the King of Judah
The chapter concludes with a focus on the king of Judah, symbolizing the leadership that has failed to guide the people righteously. The king’s downfall is indicative of the broader consequences of national sin and rebellion against God. The imagery of the sword continues, reinforcing the theme of inevitable judgment and the seriousness of the nation’s spiritual state.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 21 is a powerful proclamation of judgment that serves as a warning to both Israel and the surrounding nations. Through vivid imagery and prophetic declarations, the chapter emphasizes God’s sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience. It calls for reflection on the nature of sin and the need for repentance, underscoring the importance of returning to God amidst impending judgment.
