Ezekiel 20-22

Ezekiel 20

Seventh year- we are now 2 years after the first vision (Ezekiel 1) and 1 year after the visions of chapter 8. 

Elders come to inquire of God but God refuses to answer them normally. Ezekiel is told to expose Israel’s history of rebellion.

Rebellion in Egypt 

God chose Israel. In Egypt He revealed Himself and promised the land. Yet they rebelled and clung to Egyptian idols.

• God restrained judgment for the sake of His name.

Rebellion in the Wilderness

• God gave:
  • His statutes
  • His Sabbaths
• The people rebelled again.
• God threatened destruction but yet preserved them.

Rebellion of the Next Generation

• Even the children continued rebellion.
• They rejected God’s laws.
• God allowed them to follow corrupt practices.

Rebellion in the Promised Land

• After entering the land, they continued idolatry.
• High places became centers of false worship.

Rebellion Today 

• The current generation continues the same sins.
• They want to be “like the nations.”
• God rejects this desire.

God promises to gather His people. He will judge and purge the rebels.

• A faithful remnant will remain.

Restoration After Judgment

• God will bring Israel back to the land.
• They will remember their sins and be humbled.
• God acts for the sake of His name.

God announces a coming fire in the southern forest. Symbolizes coming judgment on Judah.

Ezekiel 21

Ezekiel is told to prophesy against Israel. 

God draws His sword. Both righteous and wicked will suffer in the coming disaster.

God tells Ezekiel to groan/sigh because of the anguish.

God’s sword is sharpened and polished.

• Prepared for slaughter.
• No one can resist it.

Nebuchadnezzar II stands at a crossroads.

• Uses divination to choose a path
  • shaking arrows: picking an arrow with inscription
  • teraphim: objects that reveal messages from the gods
  • liver: examining liver of slaughtered animals 
• The lot falls toward Jerusalem.

The wicked ruler (Zedekiah) will lose the crown.

• The kingdom will be overturned.
• “Until he comes whose right it is.” Jesus 

Prophecy against Ammon. They too will face destruction.

Ezekiel 22

God says Jerusalem is guilty of:

• Bloodshed
• Idolatry
• Oppression
• Immorality
• Corrupt leadership

Because of this, God will scatter them among the nations.

 The Furnace of Judgment

• Israel compared to impure metal.
• God gathers them like ore in a furnace.
• Judgment will refine and expose impurities.

All levels of society are corrupt:

• Prophets: false visions
• Priests: profane the law
• Princes: violent rulers
• People: oppression and theft

God says: “I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach… but I found none.”

Application

Sins matter to God! He sees the pattern of our whole lives, not just isolated moments. Repeated rebellion can be detrimental. God is a God of mercy and love, but also a God of righteous judgment.