INTRODUCTION
In the Hebrew Bible this section is numbered as Ezekiel 21:1-5 but in most English translations it is 20:45-49. I follow the English chapter and verse arrangement.
Having closed the oracle about Israel’s historical rebellion (20:1-44) with a prophecy of restoration after purification and judgement Ezekiel gives a brief message about that impending judgement using a parable of a forest fire. This serves as an introduction to three oracles concerning the sword in chapter 21, which elaborate on the theme of judgement.
DIVISION
45-47a YHWH’s instructions to Ezekiel.
47b-48 Parable of the forest fire.
49 The complaint
EXPOSITION
YHWH’S INSTRUCTIONS TO EZEKIEL (45-47a)
Although covered by the date given in 20:1 the prophetic word formula ‘the word of the Lord came unto me, saying’ in 20:45 lets us know that this is a fresh revelation. In the new prophetic oracle Ezekiel shifts from the plain-speaking of his previous message to vivid metaphor.
Addressing Ezekiel by the usual term ‘Son of Adam’ (emphasising mortality) YHWH in v.46 issues a threefold instruction to Ezekiel about the South, i.e. the Negev:
set thy face toward the south (tēymān),
and drop thy word toward the south (dārôm),
and prophesy against the forest of the south field (neg̱eb).
In this verse, whether for variety or literary effect, Ezekiel employs three different words meaning ‘South.’
Ezekiel is told to ‘set his face’ toward tēymān. He was to focus attention on the south, or perhaps literally speak while facing southwards (cf. 6:2; 13:17). Tēymān means ‘that which lies on the right hand,’ referring to the direction lying to the right of a person facing east. Sweeney (2013, Reading Ezekiel, p.107) points out that it is a term that generally means “south,” but has later come to designate Yemen in Hebrew. Here it refers to the southern region of Judah.
Ezekiel is to ‘drip or drop the word;’ which is a figurative term meaning to speak a prophetic utterance on behalf of YHWH (21:2; Amos 7:16). He is to preach to Darom, another word meaning south. He is also to prophesy against the forest of the Negev field. Although Negev is a general word for south it is also the name of a specific wilderness area south of Judea. ‘Field’ is used here in the sense of ‘territory’ rather than a relatively small expanse of agricultural land (e.g. Gen 14:7; 32:3). Since the Negev is a wilderness area ‘forest’ probably signifies population rather than trees and brush. By ‘south’ Ezekiel is therefore referring to the southern parts of the Holy Land, as 21:2 clarifies.
Why does Ezekiel say ‘south?’ He may be thinking in terms of Israel’s internal geography – Judah, Jerusalem and the Negev lay in the southern part of the Promised Land. Or, although Judah technically lay southwest of Babylon, Ezekiel may be thinking of Judah as ‘the south’ from his own perspective in Babylon. H. L. Ellison (1956, Ezekiel: The Man And His Message, P.84 ) gives an interesting explanation:
Ezekiel is told to “set his face toward the south,” for though Judea lay to the west of Tel-abib, Ezekiel has been transported in spirit to the Chaldean army, which is now marching south from Carchemish and the Euphrates.
The triple reference to the south draws attention to the fact that YHWH’s judgement will fall on Judah. Ezekiel is to communicate this to ‘the forest of the Negev,’ calling it to attention with the saying ‘Hear the word of YHWH’ followed by ‘Thus says my Lord YHWH.’ KJV translates ‘Adonai YHWH’ as ‘the Lord God.’ ’aḏōnāy means ‘my Lord.’
PARABLE OF THE FOREST FIRE (47b-48)
The short parable now unfolds. YHWH intends to destroy the forest by fire and everything will perish. The fire will be unstoppable – ‘shall not be quenched’ is repeated.
- The forest stands for Judah’s population.
- The trees are individual people.
- ‘Every green tree…every dry tree.’ The green trees are the righteous people and the dry trees are the wicked. God’s judgement will fall on all without distinction – everyone will be affected by the coming Babylonian invasion.
- The fire (cf. Isa 9:18-19) is a symbol of judgement by war. The Babylonian army will sweep through Judah like a forest fire.
- The ‘flaming flame’ (the flame of the flaming brightness) indicates the strongest possible flame.
- ‘All faces’ – every single thing (person) in the forest.
- ‘from the south to the north.’ – comprehensive scope, the whole land will suffer.
- ‘Shall not be quenched’ – the judgement is unstoppable and irreversible.
(v.48) And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
This verse is the climax of the oracle. YHWH takes full responsibility for kindling the fire. The judgement is public and will be seen by the entire world. Everyone will realise that it has come from YHWH. He is the ultimate cause, the Babylonians are his instruments.
THE COMPLAINT (49)
In this verse Ezekiel interjects with his own thoughts on the reaction of his fellow-exiles to the oracle. It is in the form of a short prayer in which he laments the fact that they have ridiculed him and dismissed him as being someone who just spins riddles. They claimed that his words are too obscure. That they misunderstood (perhaps deliberately) sets the scene for chapter 21 in which YHWH speaks plainly in three oracles about the sword that was coming against Judah.
SUMMATION
In a section which provides confirmation that Ezekiel was a speaking prophet as well as one who wrote we learn that a severe and comprehensive judgement is coming upon an area that lies to the south of the prophet – this can be identified as the Negev – the southern part of Judea. Ezekiel uses the metaphor of a forest fire that consumes everything (green tree and dry tree) as it spreads unchecked to communicate the idea of overwhelming judgement. All the nations will see the devastation and realise that it has been sent by YHWH. The people to whom Ezekiel communicated the oracle failed to take God’s word seriously; dismissing it as a riddle rather than a real threat. That response sets the stage for the three sword oracles of chapter 21 which proclaim the coming judgement in plain language.
Written Exposition 