Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12 describes God’s message to Ezekiel regarding the coming exile and captivity of the people of Israel. The chapter emphasizes the people's refusal to heed prophetic warnings and how God instructs Ezekiel to perform symbolic actions to communicate the imminent disaster. Through these actions and prophecies, God reveals that despite the people's disbelief, the consequences of their sins are unavoidable. This chapter underscores the certainty of God's judgment on a rebellious nation.

Ezekiel 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house."

God addresses Ezekiel, calling attention to the stubbornness of Israel. Despite having the capability to understand and heed God’s warnings, they refuse to do so. This blindness and deafness are not physical but a willful rejection of divine guidance. Israel’s disobedience highlights their hardened hearts, setting the stage for the prophetic actions Ezekiel is about to perform.

Ezekiel 12:3-6 (NKJV)
3 “Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight; you shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.
4 By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity.
5 Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your belongings out through it.
6 In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.”

God instructs Ezekiel to act out the experience of an exile, moving his belongings in public to signify the coming captivity. This dramatized prophecy is meant to catch the attention of the people, making them consider the reality of exile. Digging through the wall and covering his face symbolizes the urgency and shame associated with this forced displacement, conveying that the fate awaiting them is both certain and shameful.

Ezekiel 12:7 (NKJV)
7 So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity. And at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought them out at twilight, and I bore them on my shoulder in their sight.

Ezekiel obediently carries out God’s instructions, performing these actions in full view of the people. His compliance emphasizes the seriousness of the message he conveys. By witnessing his actions, the people are presented with a vivid image of the captivity soon to overtake them, meant to stir them from complacency.

Ezekiel 12:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
9 “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’
10 Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are among them.”’

After Ezekiel’s demonstration, God anticipates that the people will question his actions. This curiosity serves as an opening for Ezekiel to explain that his actions represent the burden that will soon fall upon the prince (likely King Zedekiah) and the people of Jerusalem. This underscores that the message is for everyone, from leaders to common people, and that no one will be spared from the judgment.

Ezekiel 12:11-14 (NKJV)
11 Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall be carried away into captivity.’
12 And the prince who is among them shall bear his belongings on his shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry them out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with his eyes.
13 I will also spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there.
14 I will scatter to every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his troops; and I will draw out the sword after them.”

Ezekiel’s symbolic acts predict the exile of the people, including their prince. The prince’s attempted escape through a hole in the wall symbolizes his futile efforts to avoid capture. God’s "net" reflects the inevitability of divine judgment; despite Zedekiah’s efforts, he will be caught, blinded, and exiled to Babylon. This serves as a stern warning that rebellion cannot evade God’s justice.

Ezekiel 12:15-16 (NKJV)
15 “Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.
16 But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go; then they shall know that I am the Lord.”

Through this dispersion, the people will come to recognize God’s authority, even in judgment. Though most will face destruction, a remnant will survive to serve as witnesses of Israel’s sins. This scattering among the nations serves as a reminder of their need for repentance and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.

Ezekiel 12:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
18 “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety.
19 And say to the people of the land, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the land of Israel: “They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may be emptied of all who are in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.
20 Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

Ezekiel’s act of eating with trembling illustrates the dread that will soon overwhelm the people of Jerusalem. The fear they experience will result from the violence and sin that have made their destruction inevitable. The desolation of the land serves as a powerful testament to God’s judgment and a call to recognize His authority.

Ezekiel 12:21-25 (NKJV)
21 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’?
23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
24 For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.
25 For I am the Lord. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,” says the Lord God.’”

The people’s dismissal of prophetic warnings with the proverb about “prolonged days” reflects their disbelief in impending judgment. God, however, declares an end to such skepticism, affirming that His words will no longer be delayed. This stresses that His promises—whether of blessing or punishment—are trustworthy and will be fulfilled without further delay.

Ezekiel 12:26-28 (NKJV)
26 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
27 “Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’
28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed anymore, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’”

Despite their disbelief, God reaffirms the immediacy of His words. The people’s tendency to dismiss prophecy as distant serves as a warning against complacency. God’s declaration that His words will be fulfilled emphasizes His authority and the urgency for the people to respond to His call for repentance.