Ezekiel’s audience must have found it fascinating to anticipate what the prophet would do or say next. They had watched him build a miniature city, set up siege works against it, lie on his side for extended periods, and even cook his food over dung. Now, he was drawing pictures of events that were about to unfold.
The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come; both of them shall issue from the same land. And make a signpost; make it for a fork in the road leading to a city;
Mark out the road for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites or to Judah and to Jerusalem the fortified (Ezekiel 21.18-20).
As Nebuchadnezzar deliberated on which direction to take, we gain insight into certain aspects of ancient pagan relationships with their deities. The king used three means to determine which way the gods would direct him.
For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork in the two roads, to use divination; he shakes the arrows; he consults the teraphim; he inspects the liver (Ezekiel 21.21).
(1) Shaking the arrows was similar to the modern practice of drawing straws to find the shortest one.
(2) Teraphim were household idols used to consult the gods’ will.
(3) The examining animal entrails were believed to be a way for the gods to communicate their intentions to humans.
Nebuchadnezzar’s actions provide a clear picture of how idolatry operates. While we may not engage in the same practices he did, similar attitudes can arise in our own lives.
When we place our needs above all else, we may seek God’s will solely to obtain what we desire. And if God does not grant what we want, we may turn to something or someone else in hopes of getting it.
God revealed His plan: to use Nebuchadnezzar to fulfill His purpose of bringing judgment on an unrepentant and sinful nation.
Into his right hand comes the lot for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to call out for slaughter, for raising the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up ramps, to build siege towers (Ezekiel 21.22).
The people’s response to this prophecy was both strange and troubling. First, they refused to believe that God’s judgment was imminent. Second, they were willing to break the agreement that Zedekiah had made with Nebuchadnezzar.
Their choice is reflected in verse 23.
But to them it will seem like a false divination; they have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, bringing about their capture (Ezekiel 21.23).
Judgment and Hope
Ezekiel accurately prophesied Zedekiah’s downfall: he would be stripped of his crown and taken into captivity by the Babylonians.
As for you, vile, wicked prince of Israel,
you whose day has come,
the time of final punishment,
thus says the Lord God:
Remove the turban, take off the crown;
things shall not remain as they are.
Exalt that which is low;
humble that which is high. (Ezekiel 21.25-26)
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross highlighted a glimmer of hope in this otherwise bleak scene. The one who would come to rightfully assume leadership in God’s kingdom is none other than the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
A ruin, a ruin, a ruin—
I will make it!
(Such has never occurred.)
Until he comes whose right it is;
to him I will give it. (Ezekiel 21.27)
Being Aware and Awake
Nearly three years ago, U.S. intelligence experts warned the Ukrainians to prepare for a potential war with Russia. Surprisingly, Ukraine was reluctant to believe that Russia would attempt to conquer their nation. Now, after hundreds of thousands of deaths, that intelligence prediction has tragically come true.
I hope you watch the news for more than just sports scores and weather updates. I encourage you to view it through the lens of God’s prophetic word.
We can ask ourselves, “God, is there something You are saying to us? Do we need to be aware? Do we need to be awake?”
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 