Nightmare

Ezekiel 8-11 is about more visions that Ezekiel had while in captivity. His visions showed the flagrant idolatry of the people of Jerusalem, especially that of the leaders of the priests, and describes the consequences of their sin: death, and the removal of God's glory from Jerusalem. The city no longer was safe from those who were attacking, and the people would be delivered into captivity. Eventually, God would bring back the captives and restore them spritually as well as politically; however, the immediate future of Jerusalem in Ezekiel's time was bleak.

This is a bitter pill for Ezekiel and his countrymen to swallow, as everything that was familiar to them would be destroyed because of their sins. No good news to report here; the people would die in Jerusalem and those who survived would be delivered into captivity. This is not an easy message for a prophet to deliver or for a people to hear, but these are often the most important messages of all, as the people need to be warned by the watchman on duty that danger approaches.

Deaf Ears

Ezekiel 12-14 deals with the certianty of captivity of Jerusalem, which Ezekiel is asked by God to role play in front of his countrymen in Babylon. As these symbolic actions by Ezekiel are designed to get through to a resistant people the holiness of God and the justice of judgment upon His people, it must be understood how deep their rebellion went. Ezekiel lashes out against false prophets and those who inquire of God while living wicked lives. He stresses that the people are so wicked that the most righteous among them would lose their whole families and be left alone, and yet God in His mercy has decided to leave a remnant for His people.

The time to listen is now. None of us know what will happen to us tomorrow.