1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
3 Now [is] the end [come] upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
6 An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
7 The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble [is] near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
8 Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
9 And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.
10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them [shall remain], nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither [shall there be] wailing for them.
12 The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.
13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision [is] touching the whole multitude thereof, [which] shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.
15 The sword [is] without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that [is] in the field shall die with the sword; and he that [is] in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
17 All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak [as] water.
18 They shall also gird [themselves] with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame [shall be] upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations [and] of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
21 And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
22 My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
23 Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
24 Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.
25 Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and [there shall be] none.
26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
27 The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.
Overview of Ezekiel Chapter 7
Ezekiel Chapter 7 serves as a prophetic warning and a declaration of impending judgment upon the people of Israel. This chapter marks a significant shift in the tone of the book, moving from messages of hope and restoration to a stark announcement of doom due to the people’s sins and disobedience.
Key Themes
- Imminent Judgment: The chapter emphasizes that the time of judgment is at hand, and the consequences of the people’s actions will soon manifest.
- Divine Retribution: It highlights the concept of divine retribution, where the actions of individuals and the community will lead to their downfall.
- Desolation and Loss: The imagery used in the chapter conveys a sense of desolation, loss, and despair that will befall the people as a result of their unfaithfulness.
- Call to Awareness: The chapter serves as a call for the people to recognize their state and the seriousness of their situation.
Structure of the Chapter
- Announcement of Judgment (Verses 1-4):
The chapter opens with God speaking to Ezekiel, declaring that the end is near for the land of Israel. This section establishes the urgency of the message and the certainty of the judgment that is about to unfold.
- Destruction of the Land (Verses 5-9):
God describes the nature of the coming calamity, emphasizing that it will be a time of disaster without mercy. The imagery of violence and the inevitability of destruction are prevalent here.
- Response of the People (Verses 10-13):
This section reflects the people’s unawareness and denial of their situation. They will not recognize the seriousness of their sins until it is too late, leading to a sense of hopelessness.
- Finality of Judgment (Verses 14-22):
The chapter continues with a description of the chaos that will ensue, including the breakdown of social order and the inability of the people to escape their fate. The divine presence is removed, leaving them vulnerable.
- Conclusion of the Prophecy (Verses 23-27):
The closing verses reiterate the certainty of the judgment and the despair that will envelop the people. The chapter ends with a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions, emphasizing that they will face the repercussions of their sins.
Imagery and Language
The language used in Ezekiel Chapter 7 is vivid and evocative, employing strong imagery to convey the severity of the situation. Key elements include:
- Metaphors of Destruction: The chapter uses metaphors related to violence, chaos, and desolation to illustrate the impending doom.
- Repetition of Key Phrases: Phrases such as “the end” and “calamity” are repeated to emphasize the finality of the judgment.
- Emotional Appeals: The text appeals to the emotions of the readers, instilling a sense of urgency and fear regarding the consequences of sin.
Theological Implications
Ezekiel Chapter 7 presents several theological implications:
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter affirms God’s ultimate control over history and His authority to judge His people.
- Human Responsibility: It emphasizes the responsibility of individuals and communities to adhere to God’s commandments and the consequences of failing to do so.
- Judgment and Mercy: While the chapter focuses on judgment, it serves as a reminder of the balance between God’s justice and mercy, highlighting the need for repentance.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 7 is a powerful and sobering declaration of the consequences that arise from disobedience to God. It serves as a warning to the people of Israel and resonates with themes of judgment, accountability, and the urgent need for repentance. The vivid imagery and strong language underscore the seriousness of the message, making it a crucial part of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry.
