YHWH’s speech continues with an explanation of Ezekiel’s four dramatic performances described in 4:1-5:4; in particular the final performance (5:1-4). YHWH gives reasons for the forthcoming judgements and declares Jerusalem’s privilege, perversity and punishment.
5:5-6 Jerusalem’s sin.
5:7-12 Jerusalem’s judgement.
5:13-15 YHWH’s wrath.
5:16-17 Jerusalem’s destruction.
5:5-6 JERUSALEM’S SIN
In v.5 YHWH refers to Ezekiel’s model (4:1-3) and clearly identifies it as representing the city of Jerusalem under siege. The city is said to be privileged in that YHWH set it in ‘the midst of the nations.’ This expression should probably be taken theologically rather than physically. The city of Jerusalem, i.e. the Jewish nation, was considered central to God’s plans for salvation. Israel was to be ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Ex 19:4-6) and as such was intended to be a witness to YHWH’s power and his character in the sight of surrounding nations (Deut 4:5-8; Isa 2:2-4; Ezek 36:36-38; Mic 4:1-8). The prophet Isaiah viewed Israel as ‘a light to the Gentiles’ (Isa 42:6; 49:6; 60:3).
On the other hand, it is possible that here Jerusalem is viewed as being in a central position geographically. In the ancient world it was strategically situated on major trade routes (e.g. the King’s Highway and the International Coastal Highway) which connected Asia, Africa and Europe. Assyria and Babylon lay to the north, Egypt to the south, Arabia to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Having such a prominent position it was ideally located to be YHWH’s witness to the powers around. Unfortunately Israel did not live up to expectations.
Instead, the nation rebelled against God’s judgements and rejected his statutes; refusing to walk in them. In spite of a favourable position and great privilege, its actions had been even more corrupt than the pagans around (for a New Testament example see 1 Cor 5:1).
5:7-12 JERUSALEM’S JUDGEMENT
Having set out the general grounds for judgement YHWH presents more detailed charges and proceeds to specify the punishments, introducing these with the word ‘therefore’ (5:7, 8, 10, 11), which indicates consequence. A series of phrases in v.7 asserts that they:
- have multiplied more than the nations around. – ‘Multiplied’ (KJV) does not refer to increase in population but the idea is that they have been more turbulent (Darby; ESV), insubordinate (CSB) or unruly (NIV) than the other nations. They ran after idols with unbridled enthusiasm.
- have not walked in YHWH’s statutes or kept his judgements. – ‘Statutes’ are generally viewed as instructions relating to duty towards God and ‘judgements’ as relating to duty towards human beings.
- have not even acted according to the laws of the surrounding nations. This would appear to contradict 11:12 which says that they ‘have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around'(ESV) but the explanation may lie in the fact that the other nations had some good laws as well as bad ones. Israel, however, did not even follow the good laws of the other nations, but only the bad ones. It is those good laws which Israel did not follow that are in view here. In New Testament terms these would be the laws written in the hearts of the heathen (Rom 2:14-15).
YHWH (v.8) is therefore ‘against’ Judah and will ‘execute judgements’ (also 5:10, 15; 11:9; 16:41) in full view of the other nations. These punishments will be unprecedented (v.9) because of the greatness of their abominations. ‘Abomination(s)’ occurs more than 40 times in Ezekiel and refers specifically to idolatry ( see also Deut 7:25-26; 12:31; 13:13-14; 17:3-4). In vv. 8-9 the first person pronoun ‘I’ is emphasized: ‘ I, even I am against thee... I will execute judgements… I will do in thee that which I have not done and whereunto I will not do any more the like.‘ The wickedness of Judah has been unparalleled therefore the severity of the punishment will be unparalleled also.
The ‘therefore’ at the beginning of v.10 indicates that this verse develops the announcement of severe punishment and provides proof of the unprecedented nature of the forthcoming judgement. The language echoes that of the covenant curses in Lev 26:21-39 and Deut 28:15-68. The cannibalism prophesied there (Lev 26:29 and Deut 28:53) involves children being eaten by their parents but here v.10 describes an aggravated situation where children will eat their parents. Jeremiah 19:9 also prophesies cannibalism during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem and Lam 2:20 and 4:10 record that it did occur. People who manage to survive the siege will be scattered throughout the nations.
v.11 ‘as I live.’ Swearing an oath by his own eternal self-existence YHWH announces that because the people have defiled his Temple with idols (e.g. 2 Kgs 21:7, see also Ezek chp 8), which here are described as detestable objects, he will diminish them (remove their divine protection), his eye will not spare them and he will have no pity (Jer 13:14) on them. This solemn oath occurs sixteen times in Ezekiel (5:11; 14:16, 18, 20; 16:48; 17:16, 19; 18:3; 20:33; 33:11, 27; 34:8; 35:6,11). Here is the first mention in Ezekiel of the idolatry in the temple; it is the background to chapters 8-11.
v.12. ‘Wherefore’ refers back to v.11 and the pollution of the Jerusalem temple by idolatry as the basis of the threat of forthcoming punishment. Now YHWH plainly declares the meaning of the symbolic treatment of the shaved hair (5:1-4):
A third part of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will die of plague and famine during the siege.
A third part will ‘fall by the sword round about thee.’ These will be cut down by the Babylonians while trying to defend the city, or perhaps in the countryside while trying to make an escape.
Another third of the population will be scattered in all directions. Wherever they go they will suffer persecution (‘I will draw out a sword after them’).
5:13-15 YHWH’s WRATH.
Although faint, there is a glimmer of hope here. Despite the severity of his judgement, God’s ultimate purpose is not total destruction. The destruction of Jerusalem will ease the Lord’s anger. This emotion is referred to four times in v.13: ‘anger’ (’ap̱ -wrath); ‘fury’ (ḥēmā -heat); ‘zeal’ (qin’āh – fervour, passion); ‘fury’ (ḥēmā -heat). Because the punishment will not only have been predicted but also fulfilled ‘they shall know that I the Lord hath spoken it’. This expression is widespread throughout the book of Ezekiel and occurs again in vv. 15 and 17. God’s word will be vindicated.
Reflecting the thought of Deut 28:37, verses 14-15 predict that the destruction of Jerusalem will serve as a warning and a spectacle to the surrounding nations (‘that are round about thee’ occurs in each of these verses). Jerusalem’s downfall will be a vivid demonstration of God’s righteous anger and a sobering reminder to other nations of the consequences of sin.
- I will make thee waste (a desolation, wilderness) v.14
- I will make thee a reproach (reviling, taunt) among the nations v.14,15
- It shall be an instruction (warning) v.15
- It shall be an astonishment ( an object of horror) unto the nations v.15
‘Anger’ and ‘fury’ are again mentioned at the end of v.15 along with ‘furious rebukes.’ Since the Lord judges the wickedness of his own people in this way how much more severely will he punish the wickedness of other nations. A similar thought is expressed in 1 Pet 4:17: ‘For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?‘
5:16-17 JERUSALEM’S DESTRUCTION
YHWH uses vivid imagery to depict the severity of his judgement upon Jerusalem, likening it to a barrage of deadly arrows in the form of famine, which will decimate the city and its inhabitants. Famine/hunger features prominently in these closing verses of the oracle: ‘I shall send the evil arrows of famine…increase the famine…break your staff (supply) of bread…send upon you famine.’
God’s judgement will manifest itself in various forms of destruction. As well as famine there will be death by dangerous animals (perhaps meaning brutal men cp. Isa 56:9; Jer 12:9), plague, and bloodshed. All these calamities will result in loss of life (‘shall bereave thee’) and the desolation of the city, as decreed by the Lord.
SUMMATION
Ezekiel 5:5-17 discusses the consequences of Israel’s disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. Speaking through Ezekiel, the Lord declares that Jerusalem has been set in the midst of nations but has rebelled against God’s ordinances and disobeyed His laws,, more so than the peoples around it. Because of this disobedience, the Lord will enact judgements against Jerusalem which will be severe and serve as a warning to the surrounding nations. The punishment is described metaphorically as YHWH withdrawing his protection and favour from Jerusalem. This abandonment will lead to calamities such as famine, disease, and violence. Famine will be so severe that parents will resort to eating their children, and vice versa, and those who manage to survive will be scattered among the nations. The severity of God’s judgement is emphasized. He will unleash his anger and wrath against Jerusalem and the harshness of the punishment will shock all who witness it. Various forms of disaster will befall Jerusalem, including famine, pestilence, and the sword. These judgements are a result of Israel’s persistent disobedience and rebellion against YHWH. The passage serves as a warning of the dire consequences of disobeying God and breaking his laws. It illustrates the severity of God’s judgment against unrepentant sin.
EZEKIEL 1:1-3 – INTRODUCTION AND SUPERSCRIPTION
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF THE GLORY OF YAHWEH (1:4-28)
AND HE SAID TO ME’ – EZEKIEL’S CALL TO BE A PROPHET – 2:1-3:15
EZEKIEL’S WATCHMAN ROLE: A PROPHETIC CALL TO RESPONSIBILITY- 3:16-27
Written Exposition 