In our study of Ezekiel chapter five, we will see how God used a haircut and a shave to bring a warning to His people. In chapter four, we saw God declare judgment on Jerusalem with some unusual actions by the prophet. Here, God will use him to declare judgment on the people.
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"Now you, human being, take a sharp sword; and use it like a barber's razor to shave your head and beard. Then weigh the hair on a balance-scale, and divide it up.
These instructions from God would have been very unusual for three reasons. First, if you were going to shave, you would not normally use a sword as a sword was used in battle. The second reason is that it would have been unusual for a priest to shave his head as this was a sign of shame. The third reason is that, after he was done, he was to use a scale to divide the hair. This would have caused quite a stir as the people came to see what this "crazy" man was doing. We can be encouraged in our walk with the Lord through understanding that sometimes God can have you doing things that others don't understand. They may even call you crazy or a "Jesus Freak" but this is nothing new as it happened to the prophet here.
A third of it you are to burn in the city when the days of the siege are over. Take another third, and hit it with your sword all around the city. Scatter the last third to the wind, and I will pursue them with drawn sword. Also take a few hairs and tie them up in the folds of your garment. Again, of these take some; throw them in the fire, and burn them up; from there a fire will come out against the entire house of Isra'el.
We must keep in mind that Ezekiel was not to say a word during this time and these actions would have caused quite a stir. Here, we see four groups of people symbolized by the hair that was taken from his head. The first group were the people that were going to perish during the fall of Jerusalem. The second group was the people outside the city and the third was those throughout the land of Israel. These three groups were to let the people know that the judgment on the people was complete. The final group was a remnant that would be saved as God has always preserved a remnant of His people. A part of this remnant was then burnt up telling of the fact that some in this remnant would turn away from God.
"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says: 'This is Yerushalayim! I have placed her in the middle of the nations; countries can be found all around her. But she has rebelled against my rulings and committed wickedness more than the nations, against my laws more than the countries around her; because they have rejected my rulings and not lived according to my laws.'
After the silent portrayal of the coming judgment, God tells the people the reason for the haircut. They were the people that had been chosen to receive the instructions from the Creator of all things. They received them but then ignored them bringing this judgment on themselves. We may ask what this has to do with us today as we are under grace and not law. The simple fact of the matter is that we still receive instruction from God through the Holy Spirit and we are responsible for listening and following Him. Our judgment is not a judgment of salvation but we will have a judgment of our works to determine our rewards.
"Therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says: 'Because you have outdone the nations around you by not living according to my laws or following my rulings or even following the rules of the nations around you,'
Not only did they ignore the standards of God but they didn't even live up to the standards of the nations around them. We see much the same thing today from many who profess to know Jesus. They may be God's children but they act as if they are not and don't even live up to the standards of the society around them.
therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM, says: 'I too am against you, yes, I; and I will execute judgments among you while all the nations look on. Moreover, because of all your disgusting practices, I will do things to you that I have never done before; and I will never do such things again.
God's people and Jerusalem were meant to be a bright shining example to the surrounding nations. Instead, they turned to idols and so God is bringing judgment on them in front of their neighbors.
Parents among you will eat their children, and children will eat their parents! I will execute judgments among you and scatter to all the winds those of you who remain.
The situation in Jerusalem is going to get so desperate that people will turn to eating each other. Those that survive this horror will be scattered among the nations. We may not be used to hearing about the punishment of God but it is also made clear that this judgment is from God.
For, as I live,' says Adonai ELOHIM, 'because you defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and disgusting practices, therefore I swear that I will cut you off - my eye will not spare, I will have no pity. A third of you will die from plague or be consumed by famine inside [Yerushalayim]; a third will fall by the sword all around [Yerushalayim]; and a third I will scatter to all the winds and pursue with the sword.'
The judgment is explained in great detail now and we see that the reason for it is that the people defiled the sanctuary. We may ask ourselves what this has to do with us as Christians and we are reminded that our bodies are now the temple of God. We see that God told them that He would withdraw His favor from them and the same is true for us when we walk outside of the will of God. God gives us the freedom to walk out our lives but He is not obligated to provide for those who are walking in their own direction.
In this way my anger will spend itself, my fury against them will die down, and I will be satisfied. Then, when I have spent my fury on them, they will know that I, ADONAI, have spoken out of my zeal.
The good news is that God's wrath has an end and He will spare a portion of the people. Those that are left are left for a purpose which is to tell others about what God has done.
'I will make you a ruin and an object of reproach among the nations around you, in the sight of all passing by. When I execute judgments and furious punishments among you in anger and fury, [Yerushalayim] will be an object of reproach, derision and horror, and a lesson to warn the nations around you. I, ADONAI, have announced it.
Israel was to be an example for those around them but had failed. In this judgment, they would be an example and a lesson for the nations. They are a lesson for the world today as well in the fact that God would do this to His "chosen people".
I will send upon them the deadly, destructive arrows of famine, which I will send to destroy you. I will make the famine worse for you by cutting off your food supply. Yes, I will send famine and savage beasts upon you to leave you without children; plague and bloodshed will sweep through you; and I will bring the sword upon you. I, ADONAI, have spoken it.'"
What started out with a prophet performing a drama is now clearly spoken by the Lord. It is made clear that this judgment is from Him and by Him.
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