What is the meaning of Ezekiel 14:13? Son of man God repeatedly addresses Ezekiel with this title, underscoring the prophet’s humanity in contrast to the Lord’s divinity (Ezekiel 2:1; 3:17). By using it here, the Lord reminds the messenger—and the readers—that the message is divine in origin yet delivered through a human voice. Similar wording in Daniel 8:17 shows that when God speaks to “son of man,” He is about to unveil weighty, often sobering truth. if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully The focus shifts from individuals to a whole nation. Scripture teaches that societies can corporately rebel (2 Chronicles 36:14–17; Hosea 6:7). • Unfaithfulness is covenant language, echoing Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 where obedience brings blessing and rebellion brings curse. • 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises restoration when the people humble themselves; yet Ezekiel’s context shows what happens when they refuse. The verse highlights national accountability: God holds a land responsible for persistent, collective unbelief. and I stretch out My hand against it This picture of the divine hand signals active judgment. In Exodus 6:6 the same arm rescues Israel; here it disciplines them. Isaiah 5:25 says, “Therefore the anger of the LORD is kindled against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them”. God’s hand can bless or strike, affirming His sovereign right to intervene in history. to cut off its supply of food First consequence: scarcity. Leviticus 26:26 foretells, “When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven”. God withholds daily provision to expose self-reliance and drive people to repentance. • Agricultural success is not merely natural; it is a gracious gift (Psalm 104:14–15). • Hosea 2:9 shows the same pattern—God retracts grain, wine, and oil when His people stray. to send famine upon it Famine intensifies the shortage into life-threatening crisis. Jeremiah 14:12 reports, “Though they fast, I will not hear their cry… I will consume them by sword, famine, and plague”. • Old Testament history records repeated famines as divine warnings (2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 17:1). • Revelation 6:5-6 portrays famine as a continuing instrument of judgment even in future prophecy. God is patient, but sustained resistance invites escalating discipline. and to cut off from it both man and beast Ultimate outcome: comprehensive devastation. Genesis 6:7 parallels this severity—“I will wipe mankind, whom I created, from the face of the earth—along with the animals…”. Zephaniah 1:3 echoes the same sweeping removal. • The death of livestock compounds human loss, erasing economic stability and daily sustenance. • Such totality underlines God’s holiness; He cannot overlook entrenched rebellion indefinitely. summary Ezekiel 14:13 reveals a clear progression: national unfaithfulness invites God’s direct intervention, beginning with withheld provision, escalating to famine, and culminating in widespread death. The verse underscores God’s absolute authority over land, food, and life itself. It serves as a sober reminder that collective sin has collective consequences, yet by implication leaves room for repentance before judgment reaches its final, most severe stage. |
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