2"Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.
3"Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people.
- P32
6Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites." - P32
9"Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’
10"Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’
11Say to them, ‘I am a sign to you.’ "As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.
12"The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.
- P33
13I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die.
14I will scatter to the winds all those around him—his staff and all his troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.
15"They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries.
16But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the Lord."
- P33
Ezekiel is again commanded to act out the contents of God‘s prophecy. Byday, he brings out an exile‘s baggage and by night he digs a hole through awall as one who tries to escape quietly. What is surprising about all of this isthat, before commanding Ezekiel to stage this performance, God declaresconcerning Israel that they are a rebellious people that do not see or hear.
So why such theatrics on behalf of people who refuse to see? - P34
Though Israelhas been rebellious, God gives them yet another sign in hopes that somemay turn to Him. We are told in the New Testament not to mistake theLord‘s patience for slowness in fulfilling His promise (2 Pet. 3:9). Rather,
delayed judgment is always God‘s grace in hopes that some may turn andreceive His forgiveness. - P34
Dear Jesus, thank You for saving us, though we are no different from therebellious Israelites. Help our family live as a sign of Your good news, and useour lives to point others to You. In Your name, amen. - P35
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