God teaches through symbols throughout Scripture. Symbolism abounds regarding this week’s events in Jesus’ life. Passover, when blood sprinkled on doorposts saved those within from the angel of death, the Passover lamb itself symbolizing Jesus, the snake lifted up in the wilderness,1 and the cross itself to remind us of Jesus’ death. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the new life we have through Jesus’ resurrection. 
It might be a stretch, though, to say the story of Ezekiel symbolizing Jerusalem’s siege relates. Except that God faithfully warns His people of judgment. In the previous chapter, the Lord instructed Ezekiel to warn rebellious Israel. God spelled out that judgment for sin is death. The way to life is to turn from wickedness, listen to, and obey God. Those who choose not to follow God and His way to life have no excuse.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
- God warned Ezekiel to warn the Israelites.
- Then God had Ezekiel act out a warning regarding a siege against Jerusalem.
- God told Ezekiel he would be bound with ropes and unable to go and speak to the people.
- In chapter four we see the fulfillment of this in Ezekiel’s life.
*How would you describe and explain the way to life with God?
*When has God called you to turn from the wrong way, listen, and obey?
“Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel” (Ezekiel 4:1-3).
- Reading this description, I envision a boy at play.
- Through pretend play children learn about life, cause and effect, what works, and what doesn’t work.
- Adults plan a course of action or strategize, in education, business, or war, for example.
- They sketch diagrams (pictures), list steps to take to accomplish specific goals, and participate in simulations (practice).
- Ezekiel demonstrated their judgment to the Israelites before it actually happened.
- The iron would shield Ezekiel from the effects of siege and he would act as Israel’s opposition.
- Which makes since, in that Ezekiel spoke in opposition to their sin, wickedness, and rebellious ways.
*How does God shield His faithful people from judgment on the wicked around them?
*How can the principles of strategic planning listed help us in our life and walk with God?
“Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel” (Ezekiel 4:4-5).,
- Imagine that, Ezekiel would lie in one place and bear the sins of the people for more than one year.2
- I don’t know of any other prophets who did this.
As we saw in chapter 3, the ramifications to Ezekiel for being God’s prophet were incredible.
God often calls His people to do hard things.
Where is the good in this for Ezekiel?
- God gave him strength. (1:3; 3:14, 22)
- God showed Ezekiel a vision that included seeing the Spirit move and hearing the voice of the Almighty. (chapter 1)
- Ezekiel saw the radiance and glory of Jesus. (Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 1:13-15)
- God spoke to him. (2:1)
- The Spirit came into Ezekiel. (2:2)
- God gave Ezekiel His Word, sweet as honey, yet bearing wrath and judgment for the wicked. (3:1-4)
- God showed Ezekiel His glory. (3:23)
An impressive list! No wonder Ezekiel did whatever God asked of him.
I imagine Ezekiel called on God’s strength to carry him through this battle exercise.
*When have you seen God’s Spirit move?
*When have you heard the voice of the Lord Almighty?
*How has God shown you His radiance and glory?
“After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege” (Ezekiel 4:6-8).
- Here we see the fulfillment of Ezekiel 3:25, for the first or second time. It’s unclear if Ezekiel was tied once before this scene in chapter 4.
- Again Ezekiel had to bear the sins of the people, held captive by their sin.
- This scene, then, might also be a symbol of the Israelites’ captivity in Babylon, when they were held captive because of their sin.
- God doesn’t say why Ezekiel is to speak against (prophesy) Judah, when it’s not mentioned that he would do so against Israel.
- It was up to God, not Ezekiel, to determine the length of time representing Israel and Judah’s punishment.
*How are we “held captive” by sin today?
“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. Weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. Also measure out a sixth of a hin of water and drink it at set times” (Ezekiel 4:9-11).
- God gave instructions to (barely) keep Ezekiel alive during this time.
- Since Ezekiel was to measure out his food each day, we might assume he baked the bread ahead of time, although this isn’t clear.
- A measurement footnote indicates he was allowed 8 ounces of food and less than one quart of water per day.
- No wonder he was to eat at set times—to stay (minimally) fueled and hydrated.
- We hope God continued to supernaturally strengthen Ezekiel during this ordeal!
*When has God sustained you through a trial on His strength alone?
*How has God’s Word enriched your life this week?
This will have to be “part one” of two. I don’t want this post to be too long to read, so we’ll pick it up again next week. There is so much meditative and uplifting content to experience during Holy Week.
Blessings on your reflections and celebration of Good Friday and Easter.
- Perhaps Michael Card’s song, “Scandalon,” linked to in the March 7, 2024, post hums in the background as you read the reflections here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wf8OGTqiSw
- For an interesting perspective on the numbers of years (days) and background history, you might enjoy reading this commentary from a Messianic church in Michigan.
https://www.messianics.us/bible-prophecy/ezekiels-puzzling-prophecy.html