Babylon as God’s Sword of Judgement
In this chapter, the word of the Lord comes to Ezekiel, to prophesy against Jerusalem. God announces that judgment is coming upon the land of Israel. His sword will be drawn against everyone both the righteous and the wicked, revealing the severity and inevitability of what is about to take place. The coming devastation will be so sweeping that all who witness it will know without doubt that it is the Lord’s doing.
Ezekiel himself is commanded to groan publicly, with a breaking heart and bitter grief. His visible anguish is meant to serve as a sign of the dreadful news that is approaching. The judgment will be so overwhelming that every heart will melt, every hand will hang limp, every spirit will faint, and every knee will be as weak as water.
6 “Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart. 7 When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign Lord says: It is coming! It’s on its way!’”
EZEKIEL 21:6-7 (NLT)
Then the Lord instructs Ezekiel to create an illustration by marking out two routes for the king of Babylon. He is to make a signpost and place it at the head of the road leading to the city. One route leads to Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, and the other to Jerusalem in Judah. The king of Babylon will be uncertain about which path to take, so he will turn to divination and consult his idols for guidance. The lot in his right hand will indicate Jerusalem, directing him to attack and capture it.
The king of Babylon now stands at the fork, uncertain whether to attack Jerusalem or Rabbah. He calls his magicians to look for omens. They cast lots by shaking arrows from the quiver. They inspect the livers of animal sacrifices. 22 The omen in his right hand says, ‘Jerusalem!’ With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls. 23 The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.
ezekiel 21:21-23 (NLT)
God also commands Ezekiel to prophesy concerning the Ammonites for their mockery of Israel’s judgment. Because they mocked Israel, they too will face an impending judgment.
28 “And now, son of man, prophesy concerning the Ammonites and their mockery. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord:
Ezekiel 21:28-31 (NLT)
“A sword, a sword
is drawn for your slaughter.
It is polished to destroy,
flashing like lightning!
29 Your prophets have given false visions,
and your fortune-tellers have told lies.
The sword will fall on the necks of the wicked
for whom the day of final reckoning has come.
30 “Now return the sword to its sheath,
for in your own country,
the land of your birth,
I will pass judgment upon you.
31 I will pour out my fury on you
and blow on you with the fire of my anger.
I will hand you over to cruel men
who are skilled in destruction.
Faith With Petra 