Eating and drinking are everyday, necessary activities. However, when someone’s hand shakes so uncontrollably that they can barely lift food to their mouth, it signals something abnormal—fear, stress, or dread.
In Ezekiel 12:17-20, the prophet Ezekiel was instructed by God to act out a sign of the coming judgment on the people of Judah, a forewarning of the events they would experience in 587 BC.
The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and with fearfulness;
And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with fearfulness, and drink their water in dismay, because their land shall be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who live in it.
The inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 12.17-20).
You may recall the experience of playing a scratched record. When the needle hit the scratch, it would jump back and repeat the same section over and over.
In a similar way, Ezekiel’s role is to repeat God’s message of judgment to the exiles in Babylon. He reminds them that the sins of those still living in Judah will bring severe consequences. The difficulties they are about to face will be tremendous, as God’s judgment unfolds due to their continued disobedience.
Ezekiel’s repetition emphasizes the certainty of this impending judgment.
We can learn from Ezekiel’s example. His focus was not on entertaining the people with new ideas or fresh insights each week. Instead, his goal was to bring about true change in their lives.
If that meant repeating the same message using different images and illustrations, he was willing to do so—whatever it took to encourage repentance and transformation.
The End of False Prophecies
The following section introduces the first of five prophecies that highlight Ezekiel’s conflict with others who were professional prophets. This portion starts in Chapter 12.21, and continues through Chapter 14.11.
The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, what is this proverb of yours about the land of Israel, which says, “The days are prolonged, and every vision comes to nothing”? (Ezekiel 12.21-22).
Like Isaiah, Ezekiel encountered people who mockingly challenged God to carry out His plans and bring judgment.
“Who say, ‘Let him make haste,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the plan of the Holy One of Israel hasten to fulfillment,
that we may know it!'” (Isaiah 5:19)
It was as though they doubted His power or dismissed His warnings. They dared God to act, wanting to see His judgment firsthand. This attitude clearly revealed their arrogance and lack of faith.
In response to his critics, Ezekiel declares that none of the visions have failed. On the contrary, every vision is about to be fulfilled.
Tell them therefore, “Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.
For there shall no longer be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.
But I the Lord will speak the word that I speak, and it will be fulfilled. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and fulfill it, says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 12.23-25).
I often quote Henry Blackaby when discussing hearing a word from God. When God gives us a special word, it’s not meant to be a feel-good experience. It’s a message from the greatest Being in the universe, offering us direction and guidance.
The wisest response is not to argue with Him or the messenger delivering His word, but simply to listen and obey.
Reflections:
I was especially struck by the image of the idol of jealousy in Ezekiel 8:5. I realize that the idol provoking God’s jealousy in my life is none other than my own self-will, elevating myself above everything else. It stands in the way, right before the altar.
One of my goals has been to relate to God in a way that allows me to bypass this idol of jealousy—my self-will and desires—and go straight to the altar of God, where I can truly hear from Him.
The only way to receive a genuine word from God is to set aside our self-will, allowing God to speak and respond to us, just as He did with Ezekiel.
Though Ezekiel may have been reluctant at times, he was always willing to do whatever God asked of him. He was like a sponge, absorbing everything God gave him. And when he was pressed, what flowed out was exactly what God had placed within him.
May the same be true for all of us.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 