Ezekiel 12-19: Parables, Pictures, and Proverbs
Introduction
1. The prophecies in this section are not dated but likely
occurred after Ezekiel’s 430 day mock siege ended.
2. More prophecies of judgment against Jerusalem are
revealed in parables and erroneous proverbs are refuted.
I.
Two Action Parables, Two False Proverbs (12:1-28)
A.
Two Action Parables (12:1-20)
1.
In the first, Ezekiel was to pack his goods, dig thru the wall and go out
at night into “captivity.”
a)
The parable represented Zedekiah and his attempt to escape the
Babylonians.
b)
As God predicted, Zedekiah was caught and taken to Babylon but never saw
it. 2Ki. 25:3-7
2.
In the second, Ezekiel was to eat and drink while shaking to represent
Judah’s anxiety and dread.
B.
Two False Proverbs (12:21-28)
1.
The captives made a proverb of unfulfilled promises because of the
prevalence of false prophecy.
2.
God assured them false prophecy would cease and true prophecies would be
fulfilled.
3.
Some granted the truth of judgment prophecies but comforted themselves it
was far off.
4.
God assured them His words would no longer be postponed but would be done
without delay.
II.
Woe to the False Prophets and Prophetesses (13:1-23)
A.
Woe to the False Prophets (13:1-16)
1.
God rebuked the false prophets who claimed to speak for Him but had not
received His word.
2.
They had not reinforced the breaches in Judah’s walls by confronting sin
and preaching truth.
3.
They preached ‘Peace’ when there was no peace, like plastering a wall
with untempered mortar.
4.
Their efforts would not endure; the wall they built and covered with
plaster would be torn down.
B.
Woe to the False Prophetesses (13:17-23)
1.
False prophetesses who practiced divination (prediction with objects)
were also condemned.
2.
Like the men who followed their own spirit, these prophetesses
prophesied from their own heart.
3.
They had harmed the innocent, hunted souls with their witchcraft, and
encouraged wickedness.
4.
But God would come after them, free those they ensnared, and tear off
their items for divination.
III.
Judah’s Persistent Unfaithfulness (14:1-15:8)
A.
Judah’s Faithlessness (14:1-11)
1.
Once again the elders came to Ezekiel, but God revealed their hypocrisy
to the prophet.
2.
The elders had set up idols in their hearts, yet they professed to
inquire of Jehovah.
3.
Consequently, God would answer them Himself and bring judgment upon them
for their sin.
4.
He would send them delusion from a prophet then judge both prophet and
petitioner. (2Th. 2:11)
5.
God would seize them by the heart for their estrangement; punishment
would beget faithfulness.
B.
Judah’s Hopelessness (14:12-23)
1.
God promised to send four severe judgments on Judah: sword, famine,
beasts, and pestilence.
2.
Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were present to intercede, they would save
only themselves.
3.
Not even the families of these righteous men could be saved by their
intercession. (cf. ch.18)
4.
Ezekiel would be comforted by the remnant that would vindicate God’s
purpose for judgment.
C.
Judah’s Worthlessness (15:1-8)
1.
A vine is worthless wood, unusable for any purpose except fire fuel;
Judah was a worthless vine.
2.
She would be doubly worthless after burning; they escaped once but would
still be consumed.
IV.
Parables of Harlotry, Infidelity, and Apostasy (16:1-18:32)
A.
Love and Adultery (16:1-63)
1.
From the beginning Israel was influenced by the Canaanites, but God had
shown mercy to them.
2.
Even as an unwanted infant, God pitied the nation, cared for it, and made
it survive and grow.
3.
When Israel had reached maturity, God took her as His bride by covenant
and adorned her richly.
4.
But Israel became a harlot, gave God’s gifts to idols, sacrificed His
children, and forgot His care.
5.
Their harlotry was not even for pay! They committed adultery freely,
paying lovers themselves.
6.
God would assemble Israel’s lovers to strip and shame her and then stone
and stab her to death.
7.
Judah’s sisters were Sodom and Samaria, whose sins by comparison seemed
less than Judah’s.
8.
The final verses contain Messianic hope: Jew, Gentile, and Samaritan
united in divine covenant.
B.
Opportunity and Betrayal (17:1-24)
1.
Chapter seventeen uses a parable to comment on Judah’s political
maneuvering.
2.
An eagle took the highest branch of a tree and planted it by merchants
and abundant resources.
3.
The twig flourished and grew into a vine, but then it bent itself toward
another eagle.
4.
This parable represented Zedekiah’s treachery with Egypt after making a
treaty with Babylon.
5.
Judah could have flourished under Babylonian rule, but instead they
sought alliance with Egypt.
6.
In the end, God would establish a young twig on a high mountain and make
it flourish and grow.
C.
Responsibility and Apostasy (18:1-32)
1.
The captives lamented the unfairness of their treatment, claiming they
suffered for another’s sin.
2.
In this chapter, Jehovah teaches His people the concept of personal
accountability.
3.
The soul who sins shall die; each man’s righteousness or wickedness will
apply to himself.
4.
God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked; He wants the
wicked to repent and live.
5.
If the wicked repent, God will show mercy. If the righteous stray, God
will bring destruction.
6.
This chapter refutes the popular doctrines of Calvinistic predestination
and eternal security.
7.
We may bear temporal consequences for the sins of another, but we will
not bear spiritual guilt.
8.
God’s ways are always fair, even when it seems otherwise from our
perspective; God is right!
V.
Parables of Lamentation for the Princes of Israel (19:1-14)
A.
The Lions Who Were Ensnared (19:1-9)
1.
This chapter contains a lamentation parable written for the princes
(rulers) of Judah.
2.
The first lion represents King Jehoahaz who was taken to Egypt as a
captive, never to return.
3.
The second lion represents kings Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin; the latter was
taken to Babylon.
B.
The Vine That Was Burned (19:10-14)
1.
The vine is the ruling line that gave birth to the lions; she was great
but then was utterly defeated.
2.
The Davidic line was interrupted by the captivity; but David’s Son rules
forever on His throne.
VI.
Applications
A.
Faithful Preaching versus False Preaching
1.
Two outstanding qualities of preaching: The Word of The LORD and
Building for Battle. 13:3-7
2.
God’s preachers prepare God’s people for battle by confronting sin, not
disguising it. 13:10-12
3.
Mortal wounds don’t need a colorful Band-aid; preaching must confront
error or it is worthless.
B.
Idols in the Heart
1.
Judah had erected idols in their hearts but they still went to “hear the
word of God.” 14:3-5
2.
God will allow such a hypocrite to receive false assurance of his
security. 14:7-10
3.
If we set up idols in our hearts, there is no benefit to be gained by
motions of seeking the Lord.
C.
The Spiritual Covenant
1.
The spiritual covenant between God and His people is an intimate,
marriage bond. 16:6-14
2.
This concept of covenant is critical if we are to appreciate the depth of
commitment God seeks.
3.
Are we flirting with the world while married to Christ? Are we paying the
Devil for sex?
D.
Personal Accountability
1.
Who is responsible for my salvation? Though saved by grace, ultimately
salvation is up to me.
2.
There are no excuses for sin; I have the power to choose righteousness or
wickedness. 18:20
3.
Wickedness is forgotten thru repentance; Righteousness is forgotten thru
apostasy. 18:21-24
Conclusion
1. Though infamous for being difficult to understand, much
of Ezekiel is straightforward and very practical.
2. Remember, Ezekiel is supposed to teach us more about
Jehovah. What are we learning in this lesson?