What is the meaning of Ezekiel 18:1? Then The simple adverb anchors this moment in real history and flow of God’s dealings with His people. • It links back to the judgment parable in Ezekiel 17 and prepares us for a new, clarifying revelation. • Scripture often uses “then” to show God’s timely intervention—see Genesis 15:1; Ezekiel 12:1; Acts 9:6. • The sequence reminds us that God never speaks randomly; He speaks exactly when His people need direction or correction (Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 30:21). the word God does not send vague impressions; He delivers a concrete, authoritative word. • “The word” is His revealed message, echoing the creative and powerful force seen in Genesis 1:3 and Isaiah 55:11. • It carries life-changing power (Hebrews 4:12) and cannot return void. • In 1 Samuel 3:1, the rarity of God’s word during Eli’s day highlights how precious it is whenever He speaks. of the LORD The Source is the covenant-keeping LORD (YHWH), guaranteeing both truthfulness and moral authority. • Exodus 3:15 shows that this name ties God’s promises to His unchanging character. • Isaiah 44:6 reveals Him as “the first and the last,” stressing that any word from Him is final and supreme. • The phrase reminds exiled Israel that, despite their circumstances, their God still addresses them personally (Jeremiah 29:11). came to me Ezekiel is not offering personal opinions; the message arrives from outside himself. • Similar phrasing appears in Ezekiel 1:3 and Jeremiah 1:4, underscoring the prophets’ role as divine spokesmen. • God’s Word “came” and did not merely arise—affirming inspiration (2 Peter 1:21). • The pronoun “me” personalizes the encounter: the Lord knows His servants by name and entrusts them with His heart for the people (Exodus 33:17). saying The word arrives in verbal, understandable form. • God communicates in human language—clear enough to be written down and passed on (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). • “Saying” introduces the content that follows: a corrective teaching on individual responsibility (Ezekiel 18:2-32). • Jesus echoes this clarity when He speaks only what the Father tells Him (John 12:49), showing continuity in divine revelation. summary Every part of Ezekiel 18:1 stresses that God Himself is breaking in at a precise moment, with a specific, authoritative message, delivered personally to His prophet in plain speech. This opening assures us that what follows in the chapter carries divine weight: each individual stands accountable before the Lord who still speaks truth with perfect timing and unwavering authority. |
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