You might be happy to learn that most of the prophecies today deal with foreign powers and move to a safer distance from their subjects. The geography is familiar: from Ammon and Moab and Edom on the east bank of the Jordan, to Philistia and Tyre on the coast of the great sea. The cadence is likewise recognizable: a charge against each nation, followed by a promise of judgment ordered by the LORD and executed by Nebuchadnezzar.

In chapter 27 the LORD commands Ezekiel to “raise a lamentation over Tyre.” This lament is as informed and personal as the oracles against Jerusalem, but it lacks the anger that the LORD had directed toward His people. Consider this: Tyre is a foreign power; they never worshipped the LORD; they were never set aside as the LORD’s own. Yet the LORD commands grief over them?

Remember that this is coming as you read the first chapter, an inclusive unit concerning the siege of Jerusalem – certainly a subject laden with grief. The LORD comes to Ezekiel and says, “Write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.” Remember that Ezekiel is hundreds of miles from Judah and has no other source except the word of the LORD. He hears again of the LORD’s fury, that He will not spare, that He will not relent, that His warnings against Jerusalem will come to pass.

Keep all this in mind as you hear what happens next: there’s a death, a command not to grieve; and a purpose: “that they will know that I am the LORD.” At the end of our reading, try to piece it all together. What can we learn about the LORD’s character?

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 24 through 27. Now let’s read it!

Day 227 Guided Podcast