Title: God's Judgment Prophecy / Ezekiel 21
Content: God's Judgment Prophecy
Ezekiel 21
1. The object of Jehovah's judgment (1-7)
① Place of judgment (1-3) Judgment on the sanctuary in Jerusalem
Israel's judgment prophecy begins with the judgment of the Jerusalem sanctuary. The Jerusalem sanctuary is God's visible place of presence, where the people of Israel worshiped and communed with God. Here, Israel confirms its identity as a chosen people and receives encouragement and stimulation for a righteous life. However, the fact that judgment is given from such a place proves how serious the spiritual condition of the covenant people has reached. God's people can live a perfect life only when they have a right relationship with God.
② Judgment against humans (4-7) and the inhabitants of Jerusalem as the object of judgment
The judgment on the Jerusalem sanctuary means that the subject of judgment is the entire people of Israel. God says that not only the wicked but also the righteous must take part in joint responsibility and be judged together. The Babylonian army's invasion proceeds with great speed, and the people lose the courage to resist and fall. In this way, the whole community is directly affected by the judgment. But even in the midst of this, those who depend on God will not be harmed and will find peace.
2. Song of Jehovah's Judgment (8-17)
① Description of a sharp knife for slaughter (8-13) Imminent judgment
The Prophet is repeating the expression “polished” here. This literally means ‘the state of sharpening the sword,’ and symbolically means that judgment on Babylon is imminent. At present, Israel is in a state where the sword of judgment has already been pulled out of the house. The destruction of Israel is fast approaching in the not-too-distant future.
② Describe the strength of the triple sword (14-17) Intensive judgment
The strength of God's judgment on the people of Israel can be found in the fact that the action of the sword is very active. The expression 'make the sword fall three times over' shows the intensity of the judgment rather than the number of judgments. This suggests that Jehovah's judgment to come will be very thorough and intense.
3. Jehovah's Instrument of Judgment (18-32)
① Judgment on Judah (18-27)
Ezekiel describes the specific process of Jehovah's judgment on Judah. The specific way of judgment (18-27), the order of judgment (21, 22a), the specific situation of judgment (22b, 24) The end of the king of Israel (25), the crown taken away (26)
This process shows that God's judgment on Judah was carried out according to a detailed plan, and that the cause of judgment was because of Judah's sin. God shows the severity of the covenant and the fear of sin by overthrowing the wicked King Zedekiah and his people. However, God did not completely cut off the royal line of David and succeeded it through the Messiah, and He will accomplish the eternal restoration of Israel.
② Judgment against Ammon (28-32)
The judgment on Ammon is different from the judgment on Judah. The judgment on Judah is depicted in a practical way, while the judgment on Ammon is depicted symbolically. The judgment on Judah is described sequentially, while the judgment on Ammon is recorded didactically. These facts show that the judgment of Ammon was an instructive event that revealed God's rule over the Gentile nations.