1. The dramatic tragedy of exile 12:1-20This section contains three messages from the Lord all of which deal with the inevitability of another deportation of Jews from Jerusalem and Judah (Ezekiel 12:1-20). Jerusalem would be overthrown and the Jews still there would be taken to Babylon in the very near future. The prophet’s perspective now broadened from the temple (chs. 8-11) to the city (ch. 12). read more
The Lord instructed Ezekiel to perform another symbolic act. He was to pack his bags during the daylight hours as though he were going into exile. Thus he would probably have packed only the barest necessities. [Note: Greenberg, p. 209.] He was then to leave his present home and depart for another place in the evening, when the other exiles could observe what he was doing. Perhaps this would teach them how rebellious they were. [Note: For ancient pictures of deportees going into exile, see... read more
§ 4. Further Prophecies of Israel’s Guilt and approaching Punishment (Ezekiel 12-19)This is a somewhat miscellaneous group of prophecies intermediate in date between the preceding (August-September, 591 b.c.) and succeeding (July-August, 590 b.c.) sections. It includes fresh symbols of exile, flight, and famine (Ezekiel 12:1-20), a doctrine of prophecy, true and false (Ezekiel 12:21 to Ezekiel 14:11), an explanation of God’s exceptional treatment of Jerusalem in sparing a remnant (Ezekiel... read more
Symbols of Exile, Flight, and FamineEzekiel’s audience being blind to the meaning of the vision he has just described, he is commanded to give them, in new symbolic actions, a further representation of the coming fate of Jerusalem and its king and people. He is told to gather together such things as one leaving home would take with him, and to carry these out of his house by day. At night he is to dig a hole in a wall, and pass through it with his face covered and his baggage on his shoulder.... read more
§ 4. Further Prophecies of Israel's Guilt and approaching Punishment (Ezekiel 12-19)This is a somewhat miscellaneous group of prophecies intermediate in date between the preceding (August-September, 591 b.c.) and succeeding (July-August, 590 b.c.) sections. It includes fresh symbols of exile, flight, and famine (Eze 12:1-20), a doctrine of prophecy, true and false (Eze 12:21 to Eze 14:11), an explanation of God's exceptional treatment of Jerusalem in sparing a remnant (Eze 14:12-23), Ezekiel's... read more
Ezekiel 12:2 It is as easy to close the eyes of the mind as those of the body; and the former is more frequently done with wilfulness, and yet not attended to, than the latter; the actions of the mind being more quick and transient than those of the senses. Butler. The one Enemy we have in this Universe is Stupidity, Darkness of Mind; of which darkness, again there are many sources, every sin a source, and probably self-conceit the chief source. Darkness of mind, in every kind and variety,... read more
THE END OF THE MONARCHYEzekiel 12:1-15; Ezekiel 17:1-24; Ezekiel 19:1-14IN spite of the interest excited by Ezekiel’s prophetic appearances, the exiles still received his prediction of the fall of Jerusalem with the most stolid incredulity. It proved to be an impossible task to disabuse their minds of the pre-possessions which made such an event absolutely incredible. True to their character as a disobedient house, they had "eyes to see, and saw not; and ears to hear, but heard not". {Ezekiel... read more
CHAPTERS 12-19 Signs, Messages, and Parables 1. Signs given through the prophet (Ezekiel 12:1-20 ) 2. The message of speedy judgment (Ezekiel 12:21-28 ) 3. The message against false prophets and prophetesses. (Ezekiel 13:1-23 ) 4. The message against the elders (Ezekiel 14:1-23 ) 5. The parable of the vine given to the fire (Ezekiel 15:1-8 ) 6. The parable of the abandoned child and Israel’s whoredom (Ezekiel 16:1-63 ) 7. The parable of the riddle of the two eagles and the vine... read more
DISTRIBUTING THE RESPONSIBILITY While these visions and prophecies may be new as to the particular occasions for them, yet they are in substance the same as the preceding. “THE PRINCE IN JERUSALEM” (Ezekiel 12:1-16 ) In chapter 10 we had a vision of the judgment upon the city of Jerusalem, in chapter 11, upon the princes, and in this upon the king himself (v. 10). The explanation of the action commanded the prophet in Ezekiel 12:1-7 is given in Ezekiel 12:8-16 . It is thought that this was... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 12:1-7
The sign of the departing deportee 12:1-7"It is characteristic of the book to follow a vision report, in this case chaps. 8-11, with an account of sign-acts and their interpretation within an oracular setting." [Note: Allen, p. 183.] read more