God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy the coming judgment on the people of Jerusalem due to years of sinful behavior. The Lord declared that He would show no mercy, punishing them according to their actions.
This punishment would make it undeniably clear that it was the Lord who had struck them.
I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are among you. Then you shall know that it is I the Lord who strike (Ezekiel 7.9).
Verse 9 contained a rather general statement, but the next verses outline in greater detail some of the sinful ways of Israel’s behavior.
The image in verse 10 would have been recognized by Ezekiel’s audience, but obscure to today’s readers of the book.
See, the day! See, it comes! Your doom has gone out. The rod has blossomed; pride has budded (Ezekiel 7.10).
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross explained the budding of the rod. He referenced Numbers 17 where God uses Aaron’s rod to affirm his chosen leadership among the tribes of Israel.
In that passage God commands each tribe to place a staff before the Ark of the Covenant, and only Aaron’s rod, representing the tribe of Levi, miraculously buds, blossoms, and produces almonds (Numbers 17.8).
Later, God instructs Moses to place Aaron’s rod before the Ark of the Covenant as a lasting sign for future generations as a reminder to the Israelites of God’s chosen priesthood and the consequences of rebellion (Numbers 17,10).
In the Numbers passage, the rod is a picture of God’s choice of his servants. However, used by Ezekiel, what was once positive is now a picture of oppression and wickedness.
Violence has grown into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, not their abundance, not their wealth; no pre-eminence among them (Ezekiel 9.11).
The exile that began in 597 BC caused in part by oppression and wickedness could not be prevented by wealth, abundance, or high status. It was the most prominent and influential people of Israel who were the first to be taken into exile, before the larger exile occurred in 587 BC, when others were brought to Babylon.
In modern times, we have a saying: “What goes around comes around.” The people who were in exile with the prophet in Babylon had once used their authority, power, and status to oppress those who were less able to defend themselves. Now, they were experiencing the same treatment.
Remember what God says, “I will punish you according to your ways, and you shall know that I am the Lord who strikes” (verse 9).
It is not the Babylonians who are ultimately responsible for this judgment, but rather God Himself, using the enemy as an instrument to show the exiles how they had treated their fellow Israelites.
The Time Has Come
Tomorrow’s article will examine the behavior of the wealthy in relation to their possessions. Today, I want to focus on the word “iniquity” found at the end of the following two verses.
The time has come, the day draws near; let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all their multitude.
For the seller shall not return to what has been sold, as long as they remain alive; for the vision concerns all their multitude—it shall not be revoked. Because of their iniquity, they cannot maintain their lives (Ezekiel 7.12-13).
The Hebrew word for “iniquity” is best understood as a twisted mind and will, which leads to distorted behavior.
God has provided humans with clear instructions on how to live, found in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
If we twist His directions to suit our own desires and distort our behavior by harming others, Ezekiel’s message rings true: “Because of their iniquity, they cannot maintain their lives.”
War vividly illustrates how iniquity leads to death rather than life. The ongoing two-year war between Russia and Ukraine has caused over a million deaths, unimaginable economic devastation, and deep emotional wounds that will affect generations to come.
On a large scale, it is clear that iniquity cannot sustain life.
On a smaller scale, when we twist God’s instructions and follow our own self-centered desires, we create broken relationships, addictions, and other issues that destroy lives and families.
Reflections
God has always sent prophets because He loves us and wants us to repent. His desire is not to bring judgment upon humanity but for us to turn to Him, follow His guidance, and live the best life He has planned for us.
Let’s begin by taking Ezekiel’s words to heart and repenting on a personal level. Then, let’s pray for others to do the same.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel.
Real Voices 